LCrRLJ 6.1
                        Criminal Jury Trial Readiness


     In all criminal jury trials a readiness hearing shall be scheduled
during the week prior to the scheduled criminal jury trial.  The defendant,
defense attorney and prosecuting attorney must attend the readiness hearing
unless prior to or at that hearing a “Declaration of Readiness for Jury
Trial In Lieu of Readiness Hearing” is filed with the court.

     The Readiness Hearing is scheduled to determine which matters set for trial,
will in fact, go to trial. Dispositions may be presented at the readiness hearing
or on the scheduled trial date.  After the readiness hearing the following
restrictions to the proceedings shall apply:

     All Plea Negotiations shall be concluded at or before the readiness hearing.
No amendments to the charges will be granted by the court, unless they have been
agreed to by the parties prior to or at the readiness hearing.

     Continuances on the scheduled trial date will only be granted for good cause.1

     The Time of Trial shall be extended at or after a case is declared
“ready for trial” in case of extraordinary and unforeseeable circumstances only.2


[Adopted effective September 1, 2001.]


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1 It is the intention of the Court to not extend the time within which the case is to
be tried.  The court will vigorously enforce the speedy trial rule, bringing matters
to trial a soon after the alleged offense date as is practicable.

2 These will usually involve injury, illness or death. Vacations, training or other
scheduled events shall not be the basis for an extension of the speedy trial time.