Cumberland Cnty. C.P. Local Rules of Court Rule 223

In all trials the order of procedure shall be as follows:

(a) The counsel for the affirmative shall open their case and state the facts and, if necessary, the

principles of law involved so that the relevancy of the facts may be understood, but without

argument. Thereafter, the opposing counsel may open their case and proceed in like manner

or may reserve their right to open until after the affirmative case in chief. If reserved, the

counsel for the affirmative shall call witnesses for examination and cross-examination. If not

reserved, the counsel for the affirmative shall present their case in chief at the close of the

affirmative case. Closing arguments shall be in inverse order of the opening

statements. Unless specifically allowed, no opening statement or summation shall exceed

thirty (30) minutes.

(b) Upon the return of the jury to the courtroom, the judge shall examine the written verdict. If

irregular, the judge shall further instruct the jury and send it back for further deliberation. If the

written verdict is in proper form, regular and valid, the judge shall hand it to the Prothonotary

clerk who shall inquire of the foreman:

“Have you reached a verdict?”

Upon an affirmative response, the Prothonotary clerk shall inquire of the foreman:

“What is your verdict?”

Thereupon the foreman shall pronounce the verdict.

Upon demand for a poll being made, the Prothonotary clerk shall inquire of each juror

separately as to their verdict. The Court shall instruct the Prothonotary clerk as to the form of

the question after consultation with counsel if desired.

If no demand for a poll is made or if the poll shows a legal verdict, the Prothonotary clerk shall

enter the verdict and shall inquire of the jury in the usual form as to whether or not the same is

their verdict.

CHAPTER II. MISCELLANEOUS RULES