In criminal cases, the transcript shall be prepared as promptly as possible.

The court shall schedule a status conference regarding the motion for new trial not later than 120 days after sentencing. Counsel of record for both the state and the defendant shall appear at any conference; such conference may be conducted telephonically or electronically at the discretion of the court. At the conference the court shall confirm that the defendant has appellate counsel and that the transcript has been ordered, and shall determine by whom the exhibits are held. The court shall ensure the production of the transcript.

If the transcript has not been filed by the court reporter within 120 days of the date of sentencing, the court shall issue a show cause notice to the court reporter to provide reasons for the delay. The court may impose conditions as required to ensure timely completion of the transcript.

The court shall schedule status conferences regarding the motion for new trial approximately every 180 days after the first conference until the motion for new trial is heard. Such status conferences shall be conducted telephonically or electronically unless otherwise ordered by the court.

Any conference required by this rule shall be on the record, or the court shall enter a status conference order memorializing the conference if a court reporter is unavailable.

It is the court’s responsibility to monitor the progress of the case. Priority should ordinarily be given to cases pending the longest.