Rule 8 - Joinder of Crimes and of Defendants(a) Joinder of Crimes. Two or more crimes should be charged in the same indictment, information, or complaint in a separate count for each crime if the crimes charged, whether of the same class or different classes, are of the same or similar character or are based on the same act or transaction or on two or more acts or transactions that are connected or that constitute parts of a common scheme or plan.(b) Joinder of Defendants. The attorney for the State who initiates a prosecution against two or more defendants may file a Notice of Joinder with respect to defendants who are alleged to have participated in the same act or transaction or in the same series of acts or transactions constituting a crime or crimes. A Notice of Joinder must be filed with each case to be joined. Upon the filing of such notices, the cases so designated in the notices are joined. The defense may move pursuant to paragraph (d) of this Rule for relief from the Notice of Joinder. The Notice of Joinder should be filed at the same time as the charging instrument but in any event must be filed no later than 14 days after the charging instrument is filed.(c) Trial Together of Indictments, Informations or Complaints. The court may order two or more indictments, informations, or complaints to be tried together against a single defendant if the crimes should have been joined under paragraph (a). The court may order two or more indictments, informations, or complaints to be tried together against two or more defendants if the defendants could have been joined under paragraph (b).(d) Relief From Prejudicial Joinder. If it appears that a defendant or the State is prejudiced by a joinder of offenses against a single defendant or by the joinder of defendants, the court may order an election or separate trials of counts, grant a severance of defendants or provide whatever other relief justice requires, including ordering multiple simultaneous trials.Last amended effective 11/2/2016.