Rule 9-5. Jury Trials

   A. Availability of Counsel During Jury Deliberations. Counsel and parties shall be available on such notice, as ordered by the court during jury deliberations. In the event of a verdict or a question by the jury, parties and counsel shall be present within 15 minutes of notification. Failure of a party or counsel to appear will constitute a waiver of appearance. The clerk or bailiff should be kept informed of contact information for counsel and any self-represented litigants when the jury is deliberating.

   B. Absence of Counsel on Receipt of Verdict. In civil cases, the court will not deem it necessary that any party or any counsel be present or represented when the jury returns to the courtroom with its verdict.

   C. Presence of Defendant in Criminal Cases. Unless otherwise ordered by the court, all defendants in criminal cases shall, during deliberations of the jury, remain on courthouse grounds.

Approved September 9, 2010; renumbered and amended February 11, 2026.