Rule 3. Pretrial Matters and Orders.

Rule 3. Pretrial Matters and Orders.

   3.1. Within fifteen (15) days of the filing of a petition, the county attorney shall make available to opposing counsel, self-represented litigants, and all guardians ad litem, all discoverable documents or other evidence in the county attorney’s possession that supports the filing of such petition. All counsel and self-represented litigants are obligated to request and obtain such documents or other evidence from the county attorney’s office. The county attorney shall timely supplement, as additional documents or other discoverable materials become available.

   3.2. The Court shall hold a pretrial conference within twenty-one (21) days of the detention hearing or arraignment, whichever is first, for any petition filed pursuant to Neb. Rev. Stat. § 43-247(3)(a), (3)(b), or (3)(c).

   3.3. The court shall hold an arraignment and/or pretrial conference within twenty-one (21) days of the filing of a petition filed pursuant to Neb. Rev. Stat. § 43-247(1), (2), or (4). 

   3.4. At the pretrial conference, all counsel and self-represented litigants shall be prepared to advise the Court of the following:

   a. The number of witnesses anticipated by each party to testify;

   b. The amount of time needed for presentation of evidence by each party;

   c. Whether agreement has been reached by the parties regarding pretrial motions, the exchange of witness lists, and identification of exhibits, and the proposed deadlines for each;

   d. Identification of controverted and uncontroverted issues, and other related matters;

   e. Stipulations regarding the advisability or necessity of evaluations to be performed  before adjudication, to wit: (1) the reason(s) for the evaluation; (2) the nature of the evaluation; (3) the person(s) upon whom it is to be performed; (4) the arrangements made or that need to be made to obtain the evaluation; and (5) the time needed to complete the evaluation and for the parties to obtain the written report; and (6) the cost of the evaluation and the party responsible for payment;

   f. Stipulations regarding foundation or other matters relating to the admissibility of evidence;

   g. Whether in-chambers testimony will be requested and any objections thereto;

   h. Whether an interpreter is required, and if so, the language for which interpretation is required;

   i. Whether audiovisual or other assistive technology of any type is required;

   j. Whether any counsel, the parties, or witnesses require any special health needs accommodations by the Court;

   k. Whether the parties are in such substantial disagreement regarding material pretrial matters that they believe a formal pretrial hearing is necessary;

   l. Whether plea agreements have been reached;

   m. Any known or anticipated security concerns; and

   n. Whether transportation arrangements are needed for a party or witness due to incarceration or placement in a facility. Counsel shall be responsible for making the necessary arrangements for transport, including, but not limited to, filing the necessary pleadings.

   3.5. Lack of response from counsel or a client shall not be good cause to continue a pretrial matter. Counsel and self-represented litigants must abide by the case progression standards set forth in the Nebraska Supreme Court Rules.