(a) Scheduling. Following the filing of the pleadings, the clerk of the Unified Criminal Docket shall as soon as possible schedule a conference and give notice to the parties thereof. The court may dispense with a conference.(b) Matters to Be Considered at Conference. The court and the parties shall consider the following matters at the conference and the court shall enter an order which shall state the action taken by the court or agreed upon by the parties with respect to each of the said matters:
(1) The court’s action in disposing of all motions pending at the time of the conference.(2) The court’s action with respect to the filing by the parties of further motions and the date by which such filings shall be accomplished.(3) Any instruction of the court to the parties with respect to further amendment of the pleadings in the case and the date by which such further amendment of the pleadings shall be completed.(4) The record upon which the final disposition of the petition is to be made by the court.(5) The court’s determination as to whether an evidentiary hearing is required.(6) The time and place of the evidentiary hearing.(7) A list of all witnesses to be called by the parties at the evidentiary hearing. The assigned justice or judge shall specify a date by which notice shall be given to the court and the opposing party of any additions to this list of witnesses by any party.(8) If there is to be no dispositional hearing, unless dispensed with by the parties and the court, the briefing schedule, including oral argument.(9) The court may direct that the expected testimony of some or all of the expected witnesses be presented to the court by affidavit sworn by the expected witness, and schedule a further conference to determine, after receipt and review of the affidavits, if the expected evidence justifies proceeding to a live testimonial hearing or if the matter may be resolved based on affidavits and briefing.
