(a) Order of Trial by a Jury. The trial by a jury shall proceed in the
following order unless the Court otherwise directs:
(1) The plaintiff or plaintiff’s counsel may make a statement of the case.
(2) The defendant or defendant’s counsel may make a statement of the
case, or may defer making such statement until after the close of the evidence on behalf
of the plaintiff.
(3) Other parties admitted to the action or their counsel may make a
statement of their cases to the jury, or they may defer making such statement until after
the close of the evidence on behalf of the plaintiff and defendant. The statement of such
parties shall be in the order directed by the Court.
(4) The plaintiff shall then introduce evidence.
(5) The defendant shall introduce evidence.
(6) The other parties, if any, shall then introduce evidence in the order
directed by the Court.
(7) The parties may then introduce rebutting evidence on each side in
the respective order above set forth in this Local Rule.
(b) Opening Statement. The opening statement to the jury shall be confined
to a concise and brief statement of the facts which the parties propose to establish by
evidence on the trial. Any party may decline to make such statement.
(c) Prohibition Against Reading Pleadings. Unless the Court permits, no
party may read pleadings to the jury.
(d) Order of Arguments. The right to open and close the argument shall
belong to the party who has the burden of proof as to the issues in the action. Where each
of the parties has the burden of proof on one or more issues, the Court, in its discretion,
shall determine the order of arguments. All arguments shall be subject to such time
limitations as may be imposed by the Court.
(e) Limit on Examination/Cross-Examination. Only one (1) on each side
may, unless the Court otherwise permits, examine or cross-examine a witness, argue a
point, or make an argument to the jury.
