At any time prior to the trial of a criminal case, the judge may schedule a status conference sua sponte or at the request of any party. At the status conference, the judge may examine and inquire into any issue pending in the case. The status conference shall be attended by all attorneys of record and the defendant(s) as required by law or ordered by the court.
Rule 31.7.Status Conference
Rule 31. MOTIONS, DEMURRERS, SPECIAL PLEAS, AND SIMILAR ITEMS IN CRIMINAL MATTERS · Last amended 2019 · Last verified July 17, 2026
In one sentenceRule 31.7 lets the judge call a status conference at any point before trial in a criminal case, on the judge’s own initiative or at a party’s request, to examine and inquire into any pending issue, with attendance required from all attorneys of record and the defendant as law or the court demands.
Full Text of Rule 31.7
Plain-English Summary
Rule 31.7 gives the judge a way to check in on a criminal case before it reaches trial. The judge can call a status conference sua sponte — on the court’s own motion — or because a party asked for one, and it can happen at any point before trial.
Once convened, the conference is not limited to a fixed agenda. The judge can examine and inquire into any issue pending in the case, which makes the conference a flexible checkpoint for sorting out scheduling, outstanding motions, or anything else that needs attention before trial.
Attendance is not optional for the people who matter most to the case. All attorneys of record have to be there, and so does the defendant, whenever the law requires it or the court orders it.
Frequently Asked Questions
When can a judge schedule a status conference?
At any time prior to the trial of a criminal case.
Who can request a status conference?
The judge may schedule one sua sponte or at the request of any party.
What can the judge address at a status conference?
The judge may examine and inquire into any issue pending in the case.
Who must attend a status conference?
All attorneys of record and the defendant(s), as required by law or ordered by the court.
When was Rule 31.7 adopted?
It was adopted effective January 24, 2019.
Amendment History
Adopted effective January 24, 2019.
Source & verification. Rule text and amendment history are
reproduced verbatim from the Uniform Superior Court Rules, published by the
Council of Superior Court Judges of Georgia. Last verified July 17, 2026.
· Official source
Also known as: criminal status conference GeorgiaUSCR Rule 31.7pretrial status conference superior courtsua sponte status conferencestatus conference attendance requirement