SLR 9-6.013: Settlement Conferences - Criminal

(1) Judicial Settlement Conferences will be available as a settlement tool under the following circumstances: (a) The parties have failed to reach settlement through the normal pre-trial process. (b) The parties agree and request that a judge become involved. (c) There is a good faith belief by the parties that a negotiated settlement can be achieved. (d) The defendant has pled not guilty, and a trial date has been set. (e) At least one charge is presumptive prison. (2) The following rules will apply: (a) Unless otherwise agreed by the parties, the length of time allotted will be 90 minutes. (b) The conference will be scheduled with the judge not assigned to try the case. (c) When settlement is achieved, it will be reduced to writing and a plea shall be entered immediately. Judicial settlement agreements will be binding on the court. (3) The court may deny a settlement conference for any reason including docket management requirements.