4.4  TRIAL READINESS HEARING


(a)  Readiness Hearing Set.   The Court shall, in its
discretion, set trial readiness hearings in criminal cases set for
trial.

(b)  Appearance.    Appearance by the prosecuting attorney,
defense attorney and the defendant is required.  Appearance
by the attorneys who will be trying the case is preferred.
For good cause, substitute counsel may attend on behalf of
trial counsel so long as counsel is prepared to answer the
inquiries of the Court.

(c)  Procedure at Hearing. At the trial readiness
hearing, the Judge may inquire as to whether the case is
expected to go to trial, whether the defendant
expects to waive his/her right to jury, the number of
witnesses expected to be called, the anticipated length of
the trial, the number and nature of any motions
and any other matter necessary to administer the trial
efficiently.  Any anticipated problems should be brought
to the Court’s attention.

(d)  Failure to Appear at Hearing. The Court will strike
the jury trial and may issue a bench warrant for a defendant
who fails to appear at the Readiness Hearing.


{ Adopted effective September 1, 2002 }