Local Rule Rule 43.1: COURTROOM DECORUM

Rule 43.1 COURTROOM DECORUM

(a) Conduct of Counsel. Counsel shall conduct themselves in the courtroom with dignity and propriety. All statements and communications to the Court shall be clearly and audibly made from the counsel table or, if the Court is equipped with an attorney's lectern, from a standing position behind the lectern facing the Court. Counsel shall not approach the bench unless requested to do so by the Court or unless permission is granted upon the request of counsel. Counsel should anticipate the necessity for rulings and discuss them when the jury is not seated.

(b) Examination of Witnesses. Examination of witnesses shall be conducted from the lectern in the courtroom, except when it shall be necessary to approach the witness, Clerk of Court or reporter's table for the purpose of presenting or examining exhibits. Counsel shall hand to the courtroom deputy, not the judge or reporter, all things for examination by the judge.

(c) Number of Participating Counsel. Only one attorney for each party may examine or cross-examine a witness. Not more than two (2) attorneys for each party may argue the merits of the action unless the Court otherwise permits.

(d) Courtroom Standards. To maintain decorum in the courtroom when Court is in session, counsel shall abide strictly by the following rules:

(1) counsel shall be punctual, prepared and appear in appropriate professional attire;

(2) counsel shall stand when the judge or jury enters or leaves the courtroom;

(3) counsel shall stand when addressing, or when addressed by, the Court and when examining and cross-examining witnesses;

(4) counsel shall address others only by their titles and surnames, including lawyers, witnesses and court personnel;

(5) counsel shall speak only to the Court, except for questioning witnesses and, in opening and closing, addressing the jury;

(6) counsel shall not address questions or remarks to opposing counsel without first obtaining permission from the Court to do so. Appropriate and quiet informal consultations among counsel off the record are not precluded so long as this does not delay or disrupt the progress of the proceedings;

(7) in making an objection, counsel shall state plainly and briefly the specific legal ground of objection and shall not engage in argument, unless requested or permitted by the Court to do so;

(8) only one attorney for each party shall make objections to the testimony of a witness when being questioned by an opposing party. The objection shall be made by the attorney who has conducted or is to conduct the examination of the witness;

(9) counsel shall not conduct an experiment or demonstration without Court permission;

(10) contact with law clerks is ex parte contact with the Court. Contact with the Court should be through the judicial assistant or the Clerk of Court;

(11) counsel should not participate in a trial as an attorney if he or she may be called as a material witness;

(12) counsel are responsible for advising their clients, witnesses, and associate counsel about proper courtroom behavior.

(e) Application to Pro Se Parties. This rule applies equally to pro se parties as to counsel.