Rule 168: Closing Argument to Jury

(a)   Plaintiff’s Closing Argument. The following rules apply to the final portion of plaintiff’s closing argument to a jury:

(1)   The argument may not exceed the lesser of:

(A)   one-half the aggregate time allotted for plaintiff’s closing argument; or

(B)   the time used in the opening portion of plaintiff’s closing argument;

(2)   Plaintiff may not argue a general issue not discussed in the opening portion of plaintiff’s closing argument, unless in rebuttal; and

(3)   If, after the opening portion of plaintiff’s closing argument, defendant waives argument, no further argument is permitted.

(4)   As used in subsection (a), “plaintiff” includes the State in a criminal case.

(b)   Defendant’s Closing Argument. If plaintiff does not have the burden of persuasion on any issue, the rules in subsection (a) apply to defendant’s closing argument.

[History: Am. effective September 8, 2006; Restyled rule and amended effective July 1, 2012.]