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Rule 647 – Request for Instructions, Charge to the Jury, and Preliminary Instructions

May 14, 2021 | Criminal Procedure, Pennsylvania

(A) Before the taking of evidence, the trial judge shall give instructions to the jurors as provided in Rule 626.
(B) Any party may submit to the trial judge written requests for instructions to the jury. Such requests shall be submitted within a reasonable time before the closing arguments, and at the same time copies thereof shall be furnished to the other parties. Before closing arguments, the trial judge shall inform the parties on the record of the judge’s rulings on all written requests and which instructions shall be submitted to the jury in writing. The trial judge shall charge the jury after the arguments are completed.
(C) No portions of the charge nor omissions from the charge may be assigned as error, unless specific objections are made thereto before the jury retires to deliberate. All such objections shall be made beyond the hearing of the jury.
(D) After the jury has retired to consider its verdict, additional or correctional instructions may be given by the trial judge in the presence of all parties, except that the defendant’s absence without cause shall not preclude proceeding, as provided in Rule 602.
(E) The trial judge may give any other instructions to the jury before the taking of evidence or at anytime during the trial as the judge deems necessary and appropriate for the jury’s guidance in hearing the case.

234 Pa. Code ยง 647

Amended by Pennsylvania Bulletin, Vol 45, No. 30. July 25, 2015, effective 10/1/2015

Committee Explanatory Reports:

Final Report explaining the July 7, 2015 amendment regarding the use of personal communications devices and computers by the jurors published with the Court’s Order at 45 Pa.B. 3985 (July 25, 2015).