M.R.U. Crim. P. 18

(a) Appearance required. The defendant and defendant’s counsel, if

any, shall appear at the dispositional conference. The State shall be

represented at the dispositional conference by an attorney who has full

authority to make decisions regarding disposition of, and sentencing

recommendations regarding, the charges against the defendant.

(b) Participation. The court shall have broad discretion in the conduct

of the dispositional conference. Counsel and unrepresented defendants must

be prepared to engage in meaningful discussion regarding all aspects of the

case with a view toward reaching an appropriate resolution. The court may

participate in such discussions and may facilitate a plea agreement by

suggesting or addressing a specific aspect of the matters under consideration.

(c) Content of Discussions Inadmissible. Except when relevant to (1)

the resolution of an ineffective assistance of counsel claim asserted by the

participating defendant or (2) the enforcement or alleged violation of a plea

agreement, including sentencing, evidence of conduct or statements made

during the dispositional conference is not admissible for any purpose.

(d) Agreement; Plea. If the parties reach a plea agreement, the court

shall take the plea in open court or schedule the plea for a later time.

(e) No Agreement; Subsequent Proceedings. If the parties do not

reach a plea agreement, the matter shall be set for jury trial, unless the

defendant waives the defendant’s right to a trial by jury. If the defendant

waives the right to a trial by jury pursuant to Rule 23(a), the matter shall be set

for a jury-waived trial. If any criminal charge discussed in a dispositional

conference is accompanied by a civil violation triable of right by a jury, and the

civil matter is not resolved at the dispositional conference, the civil matter shall

be set for a jury-waived trial, unless the defendant files a demand for a jury trial

and pays the $300 jury fee no later than 7 days after the dispositional

conference, pursuant to M.R. Civ. P. 38.

(f) No Agreement; Inquiry Regarding Indictment. If the parties fail

to reach a plea agreement in a case involving a complaint or information that

charges at least one Class C or higher crime, the court shall call upon the

defendant to elect whether to waive the right to have the matter presented to

the grand jury and to be prosecuted by indictment, and to proceed to trial upon

the complaint or information. If indictment is not waived, the court shall

schedule the matter for arraignment upon the indictment after the next term of

the grand jury.