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Rule 30.1 Exhibits in Jury Room

VI. Trial

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Rule Text

Unless for good cause the court determines otherwise, the jury shall take to the jury room for examination during deliberations all exhibits and writings, except depositions, that have been received in evidence.

Plain-English Summary (for reference only — not a substitute for the rule text above)

This summary is not the rule. The rule text controls.

When a jury goes to deliberate on a case, they get to bring the actual evidence with them. This means any exhibits or documents that were shown during the trial and officially entered into evidence can go into the jury room for the jurors to look at and discuss. Depositions are the one exception. Those don't go back with the jury even if they were used during the trial.

The judge normally has to allow this. It's the standard practice, not something jurors have to ask permission for. However, a judge can decide to keep certain evidence out of the jury room, but only if there's a good reason for it. The judge would need to explain why that particular exhibit shouldn't go back with the jury.

For someone involved in a trial, this rule matters because it affects what jurors can physically review while deciding the case. If your case involves important documents, photos, or physical evidence, this rule generally means jurors will have hands-on access to that material during their discussions, which could influence how they remember and weigh the evidence.

Committee Notes

Advisory Commission Comment.

This rule changes the long-standing practice in Tennessee of not allowing the jury in criminal cases to take the exhibits to the jury room for their study and examination during deliberations.

This rule, applicable in criminal cases, is mandatory unless the judge, either on motion of a party or sua sponte, determines that an exhibit should not be submitted to the jury. Among the reasons why a particular exhibit might not be submitted are that the exhibit may endanger the health and safety of the jurors, the exhibit may be subjected to improper use by the jury, or a party may be unduly prejudiced by submission of the exhibit to the jury.