CONDUCT OF COUNSEL AND PARTIES

(a) Attendance. Prompt attendance is required by the attorneys and parties, the witnesses, and all other persons whose presence is required to conduct the business of the court. (b) Civility in proceedings. The attorneys and parties must show professional courtesy and respect toward the judge, the jurors, the opposing attorneys and parties, the witnesses, and all other court 6 personnel and participants within the courthouse. Any person engaging in behavior or tactics purposefully calculated to disrupt the proceedings or to irritate the judge, a party, an attorney, or a witness is subject to contempt. (c) Objections. When addressing the court, the attorneys and parties must: (1) stand unless excused for good cause by the court; (2) give specific grounds on any objections to testimony; and (3) make all objections to the judge, and not to opposing counsel. (d) Jury panels. When addressing the jury panel, the attorneys and parties must stand unless excused for good cause by the court. Attorneys may directly address the jury panel only during voir dire, opening statements, and closing arguments. (e) Witnesses. When examining witnesses, the attorneys and parties must: (1) stand, except when excused for good cause by the court; (2) limit themselves to asking questions; and (3) refrain from making statements, quips, or side remarks. Any examination of witnesses is to be conducted fairly and objectively, with the attorneys, parties, and witnesses showing courtesy and respect to one another. Attorneys and parties may not ask questions merely to embarrass or humiliate the witness. (f) Opening statements / Closing arguments. When making an opening statement or closing argument, the attorneys and parties must: (1) not denigrate or ridicule the opposing attorney; (2) not call any juror by name; (3) not have any personal contact with the jury whatsoever; (4) not attempt to converse with or solicit audible answers from the jurors individually; and (5) not thank the jury for acting as jurors. The attorneys and parties are required to keep within proper bounds, and any attempt to inject an improper matter may be stopped by the court without the necessity of an objection. After the return of the verdict, the attorneys, the parties, and any spectators shall not express to the jury any congratulations, thanks, or condemnation for the verdict returned. CIVIL RULES