ME · rules
M.R.U. Crim. P. 30
ARGUMENT OF COUNSEL; INSTRUCTIONS TO JURY
(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.
Provenance
- Source
- courts.maine.gov
- Retrieved
- 2026-09-24
- Edition
- 2026-09-24
- Content hash
8bbe2514d766f8dd9d611c408a6618a1bde3e5de5144376df5e1a5128cd22515
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