Rule 285 Jury May Communicate with Court

If jurors have a question or need something during their deliberations, they tell the officer (bailiff) watching over them. That officer then lets the judge know.

The jury speaks to the judge through their foreperson, either by talking out loud or by writing a note. This happens in open court, meaning it is done formally in front of everyone, not in private. If the jury wants the judge to explain the law again, a separate rule (Rule 286) covers how that works.