Lancaster Cnty. C.P. Judge Jeffrey A. Conrad - Judge's Procedures V

Final Pre-trial Conference. Counsel should be prepared to meet on the morning of trial

to address any outstanding issues including whether there are requests for voir dire,

which the court may permit.

Note taking. Notetaking is permitted pursuant to Pa.R.C.P. No. 223.2.

Witnesses out of sequence. Counsel will be permitted to examine witnesses out of turn

for the convenience of the witness if necessary.

Opening and Closing Statements. In most cases, each party is permitted twenty to

thirty minutes for an opening and thirty to forty-five minutes for a summation or closing

argument.

Videotaped Testimony. Videotaped testimony should begin with the witness being

sworn. Counsel should bring objections to the court’s attention at the first opportunity

(pretrial conference or by motion at least a week before trial). After the court rules on

any objections, counsel should edit the tapes before offering the videotaped testimony

at trial.

Exhibits. Exhibits should be pre-marked and exchanged in accordance with the

certification order. On the day of trial, counsel may publish exhibits electronically, but

any exhibit that counsel intends to admit into evidence must be backed up by a printed

version of the image if possible.

Counsel must be familiar with Pa. R.C.P. 5102-5104 and the corresponding local rules

regarding custody of exhibits.

Motions for Nonsuit. Motions for nonsuit or judgment as a matter of law in jury trials and

motions for involuntary dismissal in non-jury trials is ordinarily permitted by oral motion.

Proposed Findings of Fact. If ordered, proposed findings of fact and conclusions of law

in non-jury cases should be submitted at least twenty days after the trial transcript is

available.

Jury Deliberations. If appropriate, the court will give the jury a copy of the written jury

instructions. The court and counsel will discuss whether any exhibits should go with the

jury for deliberation.

Counsel must remain near courthouse during jury deliberations and provide their cell

phone number to the bailiff.

Polling of the jury may occur if requested by counsel.