13th Judicial Circuit - Local Rule 53

53. Jury Trials

A. EXCEPT FOR GOOD CAUSE SHOWN:

1. Continuances must be requested in open court upon notice to opposing counsel no later than fifteen (15) days prior to the date set for trial.

2. The attorneys shall have the reporter mark all exhibits proposed to be offered in evidence at the trial prior to trial.

3. No pre-trial motions shall be heard on the day of trial.

4. In criminal cases, no party shall be permitted to offer in evidence (other than in rebuttal or as impeachment) the testimony of any trial witness or any deposition or part thereof or any exhibit not listed or submitted by said party as may be required by Paragraph B.3 below, or to submit requests for any further or additional instructions for consideration by the court.

5. The court marshal shall, in every case in which a jury has been ordered by the court, summon a jury to hear the cause. The calling of a jury shall not be canceled, nor shall a jury summoned be released, except upon order of the court.

6. In all criminal cases, a jury panel shall be summoned to appear on the date set for trial, and shall not be canceled or released unless nolle prosequi be entered by the state or plea of guilty entered by the defendant(s) prior to the trial date.

7. Documents to be passed to the jury shall have twelve (12) copies.

8. Prior to trial in civil cases, parties shall disclose depositions (by page and line number) and admissions against interest that are to be offered to opposing counsel.

B. UPON REQUEST OF PARTIES OR ON THE COURT'S OWN MOTION:

1. The attorneys shall meet, jointly prepare, and file with the clerk of this court, prior to trial, a stipulation of all uncontested facts which may be read into evidence, subject to any objections of either party specified in said stipulation.

2. The attorneys shall submit to the court and opposing counsel a trial brief stating the legal and factual issues and the authorities relied on prior to trial.

3. In criminal cases, the state shall deliver to opposing counsel and to the clerk a list of all proposed witnesses, a list of all depositions or specified parts thereof by page and line numbers proposed to be offered in evidence, and a list of all identified exhibits and submit said exhibits or true copies thereof to opposing counsel for examination no later than ten (10) days prior to trial; and within five (5) days thereafter, the parties shall stipulate as to which exhibits may be introduced without objection or preliminary identification and shall file written objections to all other exhibits.The attorneys shall submit to the court and to opposing counsel their proposed instructions to the jury prior to trial, reserving their right to submit requests for additional or modified instructions thereafter, in light of the opposing party's proposed instructions.