Judge Charles P. Kocoras
Individual Rules, Standing Orders & Policies
Document Filing Requirements4 rules
Lawyers' questions, objections, and comments are not evidence.
Court's wording
Third, questions and objections or comments by the lawyers are not evidence. Lawyers have a duty to object when they believe a question is improper. You should not be influenced by any objection, and you should not infer from my rulings that I have any view as to how you should decide the case.
Lawyers' opening statements and closing arguments are not evidence.
Court's wording
Fourth, the lawyers’ opening statements and closing arguments to you are not evidence. Their purpose is to discuss the issues and the evidence. If the evidence as you remember it differs from what the lawyers said, your memory is what counts.
External information (including media reports) is not evidence and must be disregarded.
Court's wording
Second, anything that you may have seen or heard outside the courtroom is not evidence and must be entirely disregarded. [This includes any press, radio, Internet or television reports you may have seen or heard. Such reports are not evidence and your verdict must not be influenced in any way by such publicity.]
First, if I told you to disregard any testimony or exhibits or struck any testimony or exhibits from the record, such testimony or exhibits are not evidence and must not be considered.
Filing & Service rules
Chambers Communication Rules
Jurors must submit written requests to the Court Security Officer, signed by the foreperson or another juror.
If you do, however, the only proper way is to give the Court Security Officer a written request, signed by the foreperson, or by some other juror if the foreperson is unwilling to do so.
Civil cases
Page 43 | Court Instruction 20
I caution you, however, with regard to any message or question you might send, that you should never state or specify your numerical division at the time.
I caution you, however, with regard to any message or question you might send, that you should never state or specify your numerical division at the time.
Civil cases
Page 43 | Court Instruction 20
Jury must communicate with judge only in writing, signed by presiding juror or another juror, delivered to marshal.
I do not anticipate that you will need to communicate with me. If you do need to communicate with me, the only proper way is in writing. The writing must be signed by the presiding juror, or, if he or she is unwilling to do so, by some other juror. The writing should be given to the marshal, who will give it to me. I will respond either in writing or by having you return to the courtroom so that I can respond orally.
Page 46 | Jury Communication Instructions
[If you do communicate with me, you should not indicate in your note what your numerical division is, if any.]
[If you do communicate with me, you should not indicate in your note what your numerical division is, if any.]
Page 46 | Jury Communication Instructions
Judge will respond to juror requests in writing or by recalling them to court.
I will then respond as promptly as possible, either in writing or by having you return to the courtroom so that I can respond orally.
Civil cases
Page 43 | Court Instruction 20