M.R.U. Crim. P. 26

(a) Form. In all trials the testimony of witnesses shall be taken orally

in open court, unless otherwise provided by these Rules, the Maine Rules of

Evidence, or other rules adopted by the Supreme Judicial Court.

(b) Examination of Witnesses. The examination and cross-examination of each witness shall be conducted by one counsel only on each

side, except by special leave of court, and counsel shall stand while so

examining or cross-examining unless the court otherwise permits. Any re-

examination of a witness shall be limited to matters brought out in the last

examination by the adverse party, except by special leave of court.

(c) Order of Evidence. A party who has rested a case cannot thereafter

produce further evidence except in rebuttal unless by leave of court.

(d) Attorney Not to Be Witness. No attorney shall be permitted to be

a witness for his or her client before a jury without special permission of the

court.

(e) Allegation of Prior Conviction; Procedure. In a trial to a jury in

which the prior conviction is for a crime that is identical to the current principal

crime or is sufficiently similar that knowledge of the fact that the defendant has

been convicted of the prior crime may, in the determination of the presiding

justice, unduly influence the ability of the jury to determine guilt fairly, that

portion of the charge alleging the prior conviction shall not be read to a jury

until after conviction of the principal crime, nor shall the defendant be tried on

the issue of whether he or she was previously convicted until after conviction

of the principal crime, unless the prior conviction has been admitted into

evidence for another reason. The jury that found the defendant guilty of the

current principal crime shall determine whether the defendant was convicted

of the prior alleged crime unless that jury has been discharged before the filing

of an amended indictment, if required to charge the prior conviction.

(f) Marking of Exhibits; Insurance for Valuable Exhibits. The

parties shall mark their exhibits before trial or hearing or during a recess. A

party who offers a valuable exhibit shall be responsible for procuring insurance

for it.

(g) Election by Unrepresented Defendant. In a trial involving an

unrepresented defendant, the court shall (A) advise an unrepresented

defendant, out of the presence of the jury, of the necessity of choosing between

exercising the right to remain silent and exercising the right to testify; (B)

ensure that the defendant understands these alternative rights; and (C) give the

defendant the opportunity to make an election between them. If the

defendant elects to testify, the court shall advise the defendant how and when

the right to testify may be exercised.