Sumner Municipal Court

		
		
                                      4.4
                            TRIAL READINESS HEARING


    (a)  Readiness Hearing Set.  The Court shall set jury  trial readiness hearings
in criminal cases set for trial. No readiness hearings will be set for bench trials.

    (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 motions other than motions in limine that can be handled in a
short time prior to jury selection shall be set on a separate motion date prior
to jury trial date.  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 June 30, 2009}