Rule 3.030 Manner of Address

During a trial, lawyers and the people involved in the case have to be formal about how they talk to others in the courtroom. They cannot call adult witnesses, jurors, or the other side by their first names. They need to use last names or proper titles instead.

There are also specific rules about talking to jurors. Lawyers and litigants cannot speak to jurors one on one, except during jury selection (called voir dire). At all other times during the trial, jurors cannot be called by their names at all. Instead, the court will have them referred to by a number or some other method the judge decides on.

The point of this rule is to keep things professional and respectful in the courtroom. It also helps protect jurors' privacy by not using their names openly during the trial.