FMLCrR 4.5
                               PRETRIAL HEARINGS


    (A)  Pretrial.  When a plea of "not guilty" is entered, the Court shall
schedule a pretrial hearing.  The prosecuting authority, the defendant, and the
defendant's attorney (if any) shall attend the pretrial hearing. Failure of the
defendant to appear may result in the issuance of a bench warrant.

    (B)  Readiness Hearing.  A readiness hearing shall be set prior to the
trial date.  All parties mentioned above shall appear unless waived in the
pretrial order.  Failure of the defendant to appear when required shall cause
the trial date to be stricken and the issuance of a bench warrant.

    (C)  Telephonic Communications.  Pretrial hearings may be conducted by
telephonic conference call at the request of either party once approved by the Court.


[Adopted effective September 1, 2002]