Rule 20. Temporary Transfer of Case File

(a) A defendant may request a temporary transfer of a case pending against the defendant to another court location in the state if (1) the defendant is arrested in a court location other than that in which the action is pending or (2) the defendant has been notified that a charge is pending against the defendant in a court location other than that nearest to where the defendant is residing. (b) A defendant requesting a temporary transfer of a case shall state in writing or in open court that the defendant wishes to be arraigned and enter a plea in the court location where the defendant was arrested or nearest to where the defendant resides. Transfer of a case is contingent upon approval by the prosecuting attorney for the court location in which the action is pending. Approval may be given in writing, in open court, or by telephonic authorization to the clerk of the court who shall note the prosecuting attorney’s approval in the file. (c) Upon notification of the request and approval by the prosecuting attorney, the clerk of the court in which the action is pending shall transmit the papers in the action or certified copies thereof to the clerk of court for the court location requested by the defendant. (d) If a defendant enters a plea of guilty or nolo contendere, the defendant may be sentenced in the court in which the defendant enters the plea. If a defendant enters a plea of not guilty, the court in which the defendant enters the plea shall at the time of the plea set the case for trial in the originating court. (e) After the plea has been entered, the court to which the action is transferred shall return all papers to the originating court.