Rule 44-16. Scheduling from Trial List

(a) The judicial authority shall assign for trial on dates certain so much of the trial list as shall be deemed necessary for the proper conduct of the court and shall direct the clerk to distribute a list of the cases so assigned to the counsel of record. Cases shall be assigned for trial in the order in which they appear on the trial list and they should be tried in the order in which they are assigned for trial, except that the judicial authority may depart from the listed order and may give priority in assignment or trial to the following types of cases:

(1) Cases in which the defendant is being held in custody for lack of a bond;

(2) Cases in which the judicial authority has granted a motion for a speedy trial; or

(3) Cases in which the judicial authority reasonably believes that the pretrial liberty of the defendant presents unusual risks over those of other criminal cases.

(b) The judicial authority shall not assign for trial on a date certain a number of cases greater than that which can be reasonably expected to be reached for trial on that date, based on the court's resources for trial and the number and percentage of trials generally conducted.

Committee Notes

(P.B. 1978-1997, Sec. 978.)