Rule 17.1 - Pretrial Conference(a) Conference. The court may (in addition to the status conference) hold one or more pretrial conferences, with trial counsel present, to consider such matters as will promote a fair and expeditious trial. Matters which may be considered include: (1) making stipulations as to facts about which there can be no dispute; (2) marking for identification various documents and other exhibits of the parties; (3) waivers of foundation as to such documents; (4) excision from admissible statements of material prejudicial to a codefendant; (5) severance of defendants or offenses; (6) seating arrangements for defendants and counse; (7) use of jurors and questionnaires; (8) conduct of voir dire; (9) order of peremptory challenges where there are multiple defendants; (10) procedure on objections where there are multiple counsel; (11) order of presentation of evidence and arguments where there are multiple defendants; (12) order of cross-examination where there are multiple defendants; and (13) temporary absence of defense counsel during trial. (b) Record and Order. The conference shall be recorded. At the conclusion of the conference, a pretrial order, or memorandum of the matters agreed upon shall be signed by counsel, approved by the court, and filed, which is binding upon the parties at trial, on appeal, and in post-conviction proceedings unless set aside or modified by the court in the interests of justice. However, admissions of fact by a defendant if present will bind him only if included in the pretrial order and signed by him as well as his attorney. Amended Dec. 19, 1973, eff. 1/1/1974; Dec. 8, 1981, eff. 3/1/1982.