Rule 26 Taking of testimony

When a criminal case goes to trial, witnesses normally have to testify out loud in the courtroom, in front of the judge, jury, and both sides. This is the standard way courts expect evidence to come in, since it lets everyone see and hear the witness directly and lets the defense question them face to face.

There are some exceptions. Other court rules, like the Rules of Evidence or special rules from the state Supreme Court, can allow testimony to be handled differently in certain situations. But unless one of those exceptions applies, witnesses must speak their testimony in open court rather than submitting it in writing or through some other method.