LCrRLJ 5.2
                               READINESS HEARING


In order to efficiently schedule the calling of jurors, to avoid unnecessary
disruptions of jurors' lives, and to avoid the waste of public funds the
following readiness hearing procedures have been adopted:

Not less than 14 days prior to an assigned jury trial date, there shall be held
a readiness hearing.  At the readiness hearing it shall be mandatory that the
prosecuting attorney, the defense counsel, and the defendant be present. The
requirements of this rule can be waived only by the Judge appointed to the
case.  In the event the defendant fails to appear, the jury trial setting
shall be canceled, a bench warrant may be issued, bail or bond may be
forfeited, and costs may be imposed at the discretion of the court. In the
event the defendant waives the jury trial subsequent to the readiness hearing,
costs may be imposed pursuant to LARLJ 1.

At the readiness  hearing, the following matters will be concluded:

    1.  All plea negotiations

    2.  Exchange of witness lists

    3.  Providing of any discovery not previously completed by the pretrial
        hearing held prior to the readiness hearing.

    4.  Motions on legal issues arising subsequent to the pretrial hearing or on
        issues arising due to new evidence.

    5.  Filing with the court proposed non-WPI (Washington Pattern Instructions)
        jury instructions and voire dire questions for the prospective jurors which
        either party requests to be asked by the court.  Note ALL jury instructions
        will need to be filed 2 working days prior to a jury trial including WPI.

At the conclusion of the readiness hearing, the court will no longer grant any
further motions to amend or motions to dismiss the charge(s) unless good cause
is shown (involving unique and unexpected events/factors).  Therefore, the case
will be tried by jury, unless waived by the defendant, or concluded by a guilty
plea to the original charge (s),   See LARLJ 1 regarding administrative
reimbursement of jury fees for those who do not give at least 14 days notice of
settlement to the clerk of the court.