What procedures are being used in courts that allow jurors to ask questions?
Generally speaking, courts that allow jurors to ask questions will follow a procedure similar to the following: At the beginning of the trial, the judge explains to the jurors that if witness testimony is confusing or complicated, they may submit clarifying questions through the judge. Following direct and cross-examination of a witness, the judge sends the jurors into the jury room for a limited period of time (usually five to ten minutes) with instructions to draft any questions for the witness that they believe will clarify the witnesss testimony. Jurors need not sign or otherwise identify themselves as the authors of the questions. The jury remains in the jury room while the judge and trial attorneys review the jurors questions. While the jury is sequestered, the judge reads each juror question on the record and permits the trial attorneys to object to the scope or content of any question. The judge rules on the objection at that time. After the judge has ruled on all of the object
