What is a Status Review or Pretrial Conference?
At any time after the filing of the indictment or information the court may conduct a Status Review or Pretrial conference. Ariz. R. Crim. P. 16.5(a). The purposes of the Status Review or Pretrial conference may include: (1) to provide a means of Pretrial disposition; (2) to promote plea negotiations; (3) to provide an opportunity to comply with discovery rules; (4) to clear the court’s calendar of cases which may be disposed of without a trial; and (5) to enable the court to set a trial date in cases which cannot be fairly disposed of without trial. Ariz. R. Crim. P. 16.5(b). “Plea negotiations” may include bargaining for (1) an alternative to the prosecution such as diversion; (2) a reduced charge or sentence; (3) a dismissal of some of the charges pending against the defendant or (4) a sentencing alternative, such as probation or home arrest. Ariz. R. Crim. P. 17.4. Additionally, the defense frequently files motions at a pre-trial conference, such as (1) Motions to Suppress Evidence
