Trial Conference Before the District Judge.

As part of the Criminal Scheduling Order in CrimLR2.1 or thereafter, the court will set a trial conference before the district judge presiding at trial. (a) Trial Conference. The trial conference before the district judge marks the beginning of the court’s earnest preparation for a trial. The district judge will conduct the trial conference several weeks prior to the trial, and the timing may vary depending on the judge.

The parties are expected to engage in plea negotiations well in advance of this trial conference. If Defendant opts to plead guilty, with or without a plea agreement, the parties should contact the court prior to the trial conference in this Subsection to set a change of plea hearing with the court. If the parties opt to proceed to trial, then 4 the district judge will set trial-related dates and deadlines at the trial conference in this Subsection, including but not limited to, deadlines associated with the submission of proposed jury instructions, proposed verdict forms, proposed voir dire questions, notice under Fed. R. Evid. 404(b), motions in limine, responses, witness lists, and exhibit lists. (b) Joint Trial Presentation Statement.

No less than one week prior to the trial conference before the district judge under Subsection (a), the parties shall meet and confer then file a Joint Trial Presentation Statement including the following information: (1) estimate of trial presentation days for each party; (2) any outstanding discovery matters; (3) anticipated number of government and defense witnesses; (4) need for interpreters for witnesses; (5) anticipated number of government and defense exhibits; (6) whether any exhibits are of a sensitive nature (for example, images of child pornography, physical contraband evidence, etc.); (7) anticipated use of technology and whether the parties will require court assistance; (8) brief description of any unusual legal or logistical issues; and (9) any other information ordered by the court.