LCrR 4.5
                   PRETRIAL AND CONFIRMATION HEARINGS


  A. Jury Trials:

     1. All cases scheduled for a jury trial shall be set for a
        pretrial hearing not less than fourteen (14) days prior to trial.

     2. All cases set for a jury trial will also be set for a
        confirmation hearing after the pretrial hearing and prior to the
        jury trial date.  At the confirmation hearing, all parties are
        expected to verify readiness to proceed to trial, or to propose
        an alternate disposition.  When a case assigned for jury trial is
        settled or will not be tried by the jury for any reason, notice
        of that fact shall be given immediately to the Court.  The Court
        may impose terms including payment of the actual costs of the
        jury in the event a case settles after the confirmation hearing.

  B. Bench Trials:  All cases set for a trial to the Court
     without a jury will be set for a confirmation hearing at least
     five (5) days prior to the trial date.  At the confirmation
     hearing, all parties are expected to verify readiness to proceed
     to trial, or to propose an alternate disposition.  When a case
     assigned for trial to the Court is settled or will not be tried
     for any reason, notice of that fact shall be given immediately to
     the Court.  The Court may impose terms in the event a case
     settles after the confirmation hearing.

  C. Failure to Appear:  The prosecutor, defense counsel and
     defendant shall attend all pretrial and confirmation hearings.
     If the defendant fails to appear for the pretrial or confirmation
     hearing, a warrant for the arrest of the defendant shall issue
     unless good cause is shown for defendant's absence.  If the
     prosecutor or defense counsel fails to appear at the pretrial or
     confirmation hearing, the Court may impose terms and any other
     sanctions authorized by law, and the Court may continue or strike
     any scheduled hearing or trial date.

  D. When a case is set for trial, a pretrial order shall be
     entered.  The order at a minimum must include:

     1.  The pretrial conference date,
     2.  The trial date,
     3.  The type of trial requested,
     4.  The filing date for witness lists,
     5.  Whether a CrRLJ 3.5 hearing is requested,
     6.  The filing date for pretrial motions,
     7.  The filing date for motions in limine, and
     8.  The filing date for jury instructions.


[Effective date September 1, 2007].