Trial Matters

The court usually requires that the parties submit lists of witnesses and exhibits, and three copies of exhibits several days before the date scheduled for trial. The parties should confer and submit a list of admissable exhibits. The court's general policy is to allow admission of anything that might be relevant, and then allow parties to argue the weight or relevancy of the testimony or exhibit during closing argument.

Counsel should direct remarks to the court, not to each other.

Counsel should ask permission before approaching the witness. Witnesses and other counsel should be addressed or referred to by formal name, e.g. "Mr. Smith" as opposed to "Tom."