If the defendant pleads "not guilty" at arraignment, the Court will schedule a pretrial conference between the parties. At the pretrial conference, the parties will discuss any possible resolutions of the case. If a resolution is reached, the resolution can be placed on the record. If no resolution is reached, the parties will inform the Court and the case will be scheduled for trial.
The Tribal Court may schedule an additional conference prior to a scheduled trial in order to prepare for trial. The Court may use this conference to determine the length of time needed for trial, determine if there are any stipulations, and make any other pretrial decisions that set the parameters of the trial.
All records relating to statements or confessions of the defendant or reports of physical, mental, or other scientific tests or examinations relating to or performed on the defendant, when in the possession or control of the Tribe, will be open to inspection and copying by the defendant.
In the interest of justice, the Prosecutor may request that the criminal proceedings be delayed in order to allow the defendant an opportunity to fulfill certain agreed-upon conditions in exchange for a dismissal of the criminal charge(s). Such agreements, including the anticipated dismissal date, must be put on the record with the Tribal Court Judge. The conditions must be acknowledged by all parties. Failure to complete the conditions by the scheduled time, without permission of the Prosecutor and the Court, may result in the reinstatement of the original prosecution.