Lancaster Cnty. C.P. Rules of Criminal Procedure Rule 570A

A. Scheduling of Status Conference

1. Within 45 days of the arraignment conducted in accordance with Local

Rule 571, each case in which an Information has been issued and which has not

already been disposed of by, nolle prosequi, or other final action, shall be assigned

to a judge and scheduled for a status conference.

2. The District Court Administrator shall provide notice of the status

conference to counsel no later than seven days before the conference and shall

provide notice to pro se defendants pursuant to Pa. R. Crim. P. 114.

3. The appearance of the assigned attorney for the Commonwealth and the

defense attorney or the pro se defendant shall be mandatory. The status

conference shall take place in open court, unless agreed by the defendant to be in

chambers.

4. No status conference may be continued or rescheduled absent

compelling reasons and with the approval of the judge to whom the case has been

assigned.

B. Information Provided at Status Conference

1. The general purpose of the status conference is to determine the likely

disposition of the assigned case prior to the Pretrial conference conducted in

accordance with Local Rule 570B. Accordingly, at the time of the status

conference the parties shall be prepared to provide, at a minimum, the following

information: (1) whether the case is scheduled, or will be scheduled, for a guilty

plea or Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition; (2) whether all discovery has been

provided in accordance with the Pennsylvania Rules of Criminal Procedure; (3)

whether all Pretrial motions have been timely filed; and (4) any additional

information necessary for the court to complete the Status Conference Order.

2. A pro se defendant who does not intend to remain pro se throughout the

pendency of the case shall advise the court at the status conference of the status

of the defendant’s efforts to secure legal representation.

C. Failure to Appear for Status Conference

1. If a pro se defendant fails to appear for a duly scheduled and noticed

status conference, the court may, in its discretion, issue a bench warrant and forfeit

bail.

2. If an attorney for the Commonwealth or defense attorney fails to appear

for a duly scheduled and noticed status conference, the court may take such

disciplinary action as it deems appropriate, including, but not limited to, disciplinary

action under the Rules of Professional Conduct or instituting proceedings for

contempt.

D. Order Following Status Conference

1. At the conclusion of the status conference the court shall enter a Status

Conference Order reflecting the disposition of the case as represented by the

parties (e.g., guilty plea, nolo contendere plea, ARD or nolle prosequi), or if the

matter shall be scheduled for a subsequent Status Conference, or if the matter is

to be listed for trial, or if a bench warrant has been issued and bail has been forfeit.

2. The completed Status Conference Order shall be filed with the Clerk of

Courts at the conclusion of the status conference.

E. Listing Matter for Trial

1. Any case to be listed for trial shall be scheduled for the Friday immediately

preceding the anticipated trial week.

2. A Call of the Criminal Trial List shall occur for cases remaining on the trial list as

of the Friday immediately preceding the trial week. The purpose of this call of the

list shall be to establish a trial priority for the following week as well as to dispose

of any outstanding cases by way of guilty plea, nolo contendere plea, ARD or nolle

prosequi.

3. Any case not resolved by the date of its initial Call of the Criminal Trial List shall

thereafter remain exclusively with the assigned judge for disposition.

4. The appearance of the assigned attorney for the Commonwealth, the defense

attorney, and the defendant, whether pro se or represented by counsel shall be

mandatory unless excused by the assigned judge. The Call of the Criminal Trial

List shall take place in open court, unless agreed by the defendant to be in

chambers.

Revised 9-19-16 Effective 3-13-17