Rules of Criminal Procedure for the Magistrate Courts – 2026
The Rules of Criminal Procedure for the Magistrate Courts, Set 6. Unlike the district courts, the limited-jurisdiction courts kept their six-month trial rule: Rule 6-506(B) requires trial to commence within 182 days of the latest triggering event.
Browse all 80 rules of the 2026 edition below. Each rule includes the full text, a plain-English summary, committee notes, amendment history, and cross-references to related rules. Use the search box to find rules by keyword or number.
ARTICLE 1 General Provisions
Rule 6-101
Scope and title.
Rule 6-102
Conduct of court proceedings.
Rule 6-103
Rules and forms.
Rule 6-104
Time.
Rule 6-105
Assignment and designation of judges.
Rule 6-106
Excusal; recusal; disability.
Rule 6-107
Pro se and attorney appearance.
Rule 6-108
Non-attorney prosecutions.
Rule 6-109
Presence of the defendant.
Rule 6-110
Withdrawn.
Rule 6-110A
Audio and audio-visual appearances of defendant.
Rule 6-111
Punitive contempt.
Rule 6-112
Exhibits.
Rule 6-113
Victim’s rights.
Rule 6-114
Public inspection and sealing of court records.
Rule 6-115
Court interpreters.
Rule 6-116
Courtroom closure.
ARTICLE 2 Initiation of Proceedings
Rule 6-201
Commencement of action.
Rule 6-202
Preliminary examination.
Rule 6-202.1
Exceptions to rules of evidence for preliminary examinations.
Rule 6-203
Arrests without a warrant; probable cause determination.
Rule 6-204
Issuance of warrant for arrest and summons.
Rule 6-205
Summons; service; failure to appear.
Rule 6-206
Arrest warrants.
Rule 6-207
Bench warrants.
Rule 6-207.1
Payment of fines, fees, and costs.
Rule 6-208
Search warrants.
Rule 6-209
Service and filing of pleadings and other papers.
Rule 6-210
Service and filing of pleadings and other papers by facsimile.
Rule 6-211
Electronic service and filing of pleadings and other papers.
ARTICLE 3 Pleadings and Motions
ARTICLE 4 Release Provisions
Rule 6-401
Pretrial release.
Rule 6-401A
Recompiled.
Rule 6-401B
Recompiled.
Rule 6-401.1
Property bond; unpaid surety.
Rule 6-401.2
Surety bonds; justification of compensated sureties.
Rule 6-402
Release.
Rule 6-403
Revocation or modification of release orders.
Rule 6-406
Bonds; exoneration; forfeiture.
Rule 6-407
Bail bonds; notice.
Rule 6-408
Pretrial release by designee.
Rule 6-409
Pretrial detention.
ARTICLE 5 Arraignment and Preparation for Trial
Rule 6-501
Arraignment; first appearance.
Rule 6-502
Pleas and plea agreements.
Rule 6-503
Disposition without hearing.
Rule 6-504
Discovery; cases within magistrate court trial jurisdiction.
Rule 6-504.1
Discovery; redaction of witness or victim information.
Rule 6-505
Pretrial conference; scheduling order.
Rule 6-506
Time of commencement of trial.
Rule 6-506.1
Voluntary dismissal and refiled proceedings.
Rule 6-506A
Recompiled.
Rule 6-507
Insanity; transfer to district court.
Rule 6-507.1
Competency; transfer to district court.
ARTICLE 6 Trials
Rule 6-601
Conduct of trials.
Rule 6-602
Jury trial.
Rule 6-603
Trials to juries.
Rule 6-603.1
Order of trial.
Rule 6-604
Nonjury trials.
Rule 6-605
Jurors.
Rule 6-606
Subpoena.
Rule 6-607
Blood and breath alcohol test reports; controlled substance analysis reports.
Rule 6-608
Recompiled.
Rule 6-609
Instructions to juries.
Rule 6-610
Return of verdict; discharge of jurors.
ARTICLE 7 Judgment and Appeal
ARTICLE 8 Special Proceedings
Rule 6-801
Modification of sentence.
Rule 6-802
Return of the probation violator.
Rule 6-810
Fugitive complaint.
Rule 6-811
Arraignment and commitment hearing prior to issuance of the governor's rendition warrant.
Rule 6-812
Transfer of fugitive actions after issuance of a governor's rendition warrant.