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Rule 30 – Argument of Counsel; Instructions to Jury

May 13, 2021 | Criminal Procedure, Maine

(a) Time for Argument. After the evidence is closed, argument to the jury or to the court shall be permitted. The time for argument, which shall be fixed and definite, shall be set by the court before argument.

The attorney for the State shall argue first. The attorney for each defendant shall then argue. The attorney for the State shall then be allowed time for rebuttal.

(b) Instructions to Jury. At the close of the evidence, or at such earlier time during the trial as the court reasonably directs, any party may file written requests that the court instruct the jury on the law as set forth in the requests. At the same time copies of such requests shall be furnished to the other parties. The court shall inform counsel of its proposed action upon the requests before their arguments to the jury. The court, at its election, may instruct the jury before or after argument, or both. No party may assign as error the giving or the failure to give an instruction unless the party objects thereto before the jury retires to consider its verdict, stating distinctly the matter to which the party objects and the grounds of the objection. Opportunity shall be given to make the objection out of the hearing and presence of the jury.

The court, at its election, may provide written instructions to the jury covering all or a part of what is orally provided.

Me. R. Uni. Crim. P. 30

Last amended effective November 2, 2016.