§ RULE 51 INSTRUCTIONS TO JURY; OBJECTIONS

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RULE 51. INSTRUCTIONS TO JURY; OBJECTIONS

    (a) Preliminary instructions. After the jury is sworn and before opening statements, the court may instruct the jury concerning the jurors' duties and conduct, the order of proceedings, the elements and burden of proof for the cause of action, and the definition of terms. The court may instruct the jury concerning any matter stipulated to by the parties and agreed to by the court and any matter the court in its discretion believes will assist the jurors in comprehending the case.

    (b) Interim instructions. During the course of the trial, the court may instruct the jury on the law if the instruction will assist the jurors in comprehending the case. A party may request an interim instruction.

    (c) Final instructions. The court shall instruct the jury at the conclusion of the evidence as may be needed.

    (d) Request for instructions. Parties shall file requested jury instructions at the final pretrial conference or at any other time directed by the court. If a party relies on a statute, rule or case to support or object to a requested instruction, the party shall provide a citation to or a copy of the statute, rule or case. The court shall provide the parties with a copy of the approved instructions, unless the parties waive this requirement.

    (e) Written instructions. Whenever practical, jury instructions should be in writing. At least one written copy shall provided to the jury. The court shall provide a written copy to any juror who requests one.

    (f) Objections to instructions. Objections to written instructions shall be made before the instructions are given to the jury. Objections to oral instructions may be made after they are given to the jury, but before the jury retires to consider its verdict. The court shall provide an opportunity to make objections outside the hearing of the jury. Unless a party objects to an instruction or the failure to give an instruction, the instruction may not be assigned as error except to avoid a manifest injustice. In objecting to the giving of an instruction, a party shall identify the matter to which the objection is made and the grounds for the objection.

    (g) Arguments. Arguments for the respective parties shall be made after the court has given the jury its final instructions. The court shall not comment on the evidence in the case, and if the court states any of the evidence, it must instruct the jurors that they are the exclusive judges of all questions of fact.