Opinion ID: 1280583
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Pre-trial Conference Matters

Text: Prior to the holding of jury trials, pro se defendants were served with subpoenas requiring that they attend pre-trial conferences. No such subpoenas were served on the prosecutor or police officers; however, witnesses and victims were subpoenaed. At the pre-trial conferences, respondent sat on the bench and the pro se defendants were required to enter into discussions with the prosecutor for the State. Respondent maintains he did not conduct the conferences, but instead they were conducted by the prosecutor. Respondent now recognizes that this arrangement is suggestive of a bias toward the State, that there is no statutory authority authorizing the issuance of such subpoenas, that it was inappropriate to issue such subpoenas for the convenience of the State and not that of defendants, that it was inappropriate for respondent to issue subpoenas requiring defendants' presence at the conferences and then allow the prosecutor to conduct the conferences, and that this mandatory, one-sided appearance conflicted with the directives of the administrative order.