A. In accordance with RCr 8.03, the court may order a case assigned for pretrial conference. The defendant and his attorney, the attorney for the Commonwealth who will try the case, and the prosecuting witness or victim (or his nearest surviving relative) shall appear. In accordance with Rule 7 hereof, all pretrial motions, notices, and responses thereto shall be filed before the conference. The Commonwealth shall file all statements of witnesses discoverable under RCr 7.26 at the pretrial conference.

B. The attorney for the Commonwealth shall announce whether the Commonwealth is ready for trial during that term, and thereafter the attorney for the defendant shall announce whether the defendant is ready for trial during that term and whether the defendant desires to plea guilty. Upon both parties announcing ready, the Court shall assign the case for trial during that term. The announcement made at this time shall be binding on the parties on the date of trial, unless the attorney shows good cause and due diligence. Failure of the Sheriff to obtain service of a subpoena upon a material witness shall constitute good cause unless an affidavit is accepted by opposing counsel in accordance with RCr 9.04.