Opening Statements
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina
Text
At the beginning of the trial, each party (beginning with the party having the burden of proof on the first issue) shall, without argument and in such reasonable time as the court allows, state to the court and the jury the following: (a) (b) the substance of the claim, counterclaim, crossclaim, or defense; and what the party contends the evidence will show. Parties not having the burden of proof on the first issue may elect to make an opening statement immediately prior to presenting evidence rather than at the beginning of the trial.