Status or Case Management Conference Scheduled Right Before Trial

[on the edge]

My question involves criminal law for the state of: Arizona

I noticed on some Trial cases there is either a Status Conference or a Case Management Conference scheduled 1-2 hours before the actual Jury Trail.

What's the difference between these two hearings and why aren't they scheduled weeks or days before the Jury Trial?

Thanks.

[Mr. Knowitall]

As many cases "settle on the courthouse steps", the court probably schedules status conferences on the morning of trial to see if a case is in fact going to settle or proceed to trial and to be able to determine before the jury venire is brought in which case is going to go to trial on that date or perhaps later in the week, and which need to be adjourned. For the case(s) that will be going to trial, the court can also determine if there are any issues that should be addressed prior to the commencement of trial proceedings. If the same court is scheduling case management conferences for some of its cases, and status conferences for others, it suggests that not all issues had been resolved at the prior case management conference and the court also wants to ensure that those issues have been addressed prior to trial. Pretrial case management issues could include such issues as the expected length of trial and number of witnesses, verification of the completion of discovery, addressing any outstanding motions and how they will be resolved prior to trial, whether an interpreter is required, whether the parties have submitted any required trial briefs or proposed jury instructions, etc.

[on the edge]

Or if the Defendant pled not guilty at a previous hearing, he or she could still accept a plea bargain at the Status Conf Hearing scheduled 1 hour before the Trial - and that would be it. No trial necessary after that.

It will be interesting to see what happens......

Thank you Mr. Knowitall.