As amended through April 30, 2019
Rule 21 - Motion based on ineffective assistance of trial counsel (a) Following the docketing of a direct criminal appeal, the appellant may file, in the trial court, a motion claiming ineffective assistance of trial counsel. The motion may be used to seek a new trial or to seek plea withdrawal. The motion shall be filed prior to the filing of the appellant's initial appellate brief. Upon a showing of extraordinary circumstances, the appellate court may grant leave to file a motion after appellant has filed his brief, but in no event shall a motion be filed after the case has been taken under advisement by the appellate court. A copy of the motion shall be served upon all trial counsel and the appellate court. The motion shall contain nonspeculative allegations of facts which, if true, could support a determination that counsel's representation was deficient and prejudiced the appellant. Any claims of ineffectiveness not made in the motion shall not be considered by the trial court unless the trial court determines that the interests of justice or judicial efficiency require the consideration of issues not specifically indicated in the motion. A response may be filed within 15 days after the motion is served. (b) Upon the filing of the motion, briefing in the appeal shall be stayed until further notice from the appellate court. (c) The trial court may grant or deny the motion without a remand from the appellate court. The trial court shall determine the motion within 90 days after the motion is filed, unless the determination is continued by written order of the trial court, which continuation may not exceed 90 days from the expiration of the initial 90 day period, unless the appellate court orders a further extension. If the trial court enters such a continuation order, the trial court shall provide a copy of the order to the appellate court. In no event shall a motion filed under this rule be deemed denied. The trial court shall enter an order determining the motion. (d) The order determining the motion shall include findings of fact and conclusions of law concerning the claimed deficient performance by counsel and the claimed prejudice suffered by appellant as a result. When disposition of a motion filed under this rule is made without a hearing, the order shall include a statement of the reason(s) for determination without hearing. The clerk of the trial court shall provide the clerk of the appellate court with a copy of the trial court's order disposing of the motion. (e) If trial court denies the motion, appellant may file a notice of appeal to challenge the trial court's order denying the motion. When such an appeal is docketed in the appellate court, that appeal shall be consolidated with the initial direct appeal. If the appellant does not appeal from the trial court's order denying the motion, the clerk of the appellate court shall notify the parties of a new briefing schedule for the initial appeal. Amended April, 6, 2015, effective July 1, 2015.