(a) Procedure at Trial
(1) In the trial the United States shall open the cause by stating generally what it expects to
prove. Each defendant may either then, or after the United States has closed its evidence in
chief, state generally what he or she expects to prove. After all the evidence on each side is
in, the United States may argue the cause to the court or jury, as the case may be, and shall,
during such argument, state fully all of its points and refer to all of its authorities, or be
precluded from a reply. Each defendant may then argue his or her case, and the United
States may close.
(2) Unless otherwise permitted by the court, counsel shall conduct the examination of
witnesses and argument to the court or jury from the lectern, and counsel shall rise upon
making objections or otherwise addressing the court, unless unable to do so due to a
disability-related or health-related condition. Advance notice should be provided, when
appropriate. See https://www.wawd.uscourts.gov/visitors/access for information regarding
accommodations.
(b) Examination of Witnesses
On the trial of an issue of fact, only one attorney for each party shall examine or cross-examine
any witness unless otherwise ordered by the court.
(c) Expert Witnesses
Except as otherwise ordered by the court, a party shall not be permitted to call more than one
expert witness on any subject.
(d) Attorney as Witness
If an attorney for any party be examined as a witness on behalf of a party he or she represents
and gives testimony on the merits, he or she shall not argue the merits of the cause, either to the
court or jury, except by the consent of the opposite party and the permission of the court.
(e) Custody and Disposition of Exhibits
See CrR 55(a).
Criminal Rules
