Art. 806 Prohibited charges

When a judge talks to the jury, the judge cannot give opinions about the evidence or facts of the case. The judge is not allowed to summarize the testimony, repeat what witnesses said, or tell the jury what they think has or hasn't been proven.

This rule keeps judges neutral. The jury's job is to decide the facts, not the judge's. If a judge started commenting on the evidence or hinting at what they believe happened, it could sway the jury unfairly. The judge is only supposed to explain the law the jury needs to apply, not weigh in on how strong the evidence is or which witnesses seemed believable.

This protects the fairness of the trial. It makes sure the verdict comes from the jury's own judgment, not from what the judge thinks about the case.