Rule 18 Place of prosecution and trial

This rule says a criminal case must be handled in the county where the crime happened. If someone is charged with a crime, the trial normally takes place in that specific county, not somewhere else.

There are some exceptions to this rule. Other laws or court rules might allow a case to be moved to a different county in certain situations. But unless one of those exceptions applies, the case stays in the county where the offense took place.

This matters because it decides which courthouse handles the case, which local prosecutor's office is involved, and which pool of people the jury will come from. It also makes sure people aren't dragged into court far from where the alleged crime actually occurred.