A court in a county outside a city with a population of 1 million or more MAY order action removed to another criminal court in the same county which has been designated a drug court but should not take effect until ____ days after the date order is issued.

• A. 2 days
• B. 5 days
• C. 7 days
• D. 10 days

Answer: (D)

The concept here is a built-in waiting period before a transfer to a designated drug court becomes effective. Even when a court may order the case to be moved to the drug court within the same county, the transfer doesn’t take effect immediately. The waiting period gives everyone involved time to review the order, arrange for the receiving drug court to prepare for the case, and notify the defendant and counsel.

The rule sets this delay at ten days after the date the order is issued. This interval helps protect the defendant’s rights by ensuring adequate notice and allows the logistics of the transfer to be handled without rushing. Shorter periods like two, five, or seven days could undermine notice and preparation, which is why ten days is the appropriate duration.