Rule 17.1 Pretrial Conference
IV. Arraignment and Pretrial
Rule Text
(a) Timing; Purposes. At any time after the filing of the indictment, presentment, or information, the court–on a party’s motion or on its own initiative–may order one or more pretrial conferences to consider matters that will:
(1) promote a fair and expeditious trial; and
(2) to the extent feasible, minimize the time that jurors are not directly involved in the trial or deliberations.
(b) Memorandum of Result. At the conclusion of the conference, the court shall file a memorandum of the matters resolved.
(c) Admissibility of Defendant’s Admissions. No admissions made by the defendant or the defendant’s attorney at the conference may be used against the defendant unless the admissions are in writing and signed by the defendant and the defendant’s attorney.
(d) Exception for Unrepresented Defendant. This rule shall not be invoked in the case of a defendant who is not represented by counsel.