Rule 22 Time of Motion to Transfer

If you want to ask the court to move your case to a different location, you need to file that request at a specific time. You can file this motion when you are arraigned (the court hearing where you're formally told the charges against you) or before that hearing happens.

The court also has the power to allow this motion at other times if it decides that makes sense. So while arraignment is the main deadline, judges have some flexibility to accept a transfer request later if the situation calls for it.

This rule mainly exists to keep cases moving efficiently. By setting an early deadline for transfer requests, the court avoids delays that could happen if someone waited until right before trial to ask for a change of location.