Rule 5.141 Pretrial Procedures; Conferences; Scheduling Orders

When a case is disputed and goes to court, the judge can hold pretrial meetings with the parties involved. These meetings help organize the case before the actual hearing or trial takes place.

During these meetings, the judge may set deadlines, narrow down the issues being disputed, and make sure everyone is prepared. The judge can also issue a scheduling order, which is a written plan that tells everyone involved what needs to happen and by when.