Title: In Re: Local Rules
Citation: 89-R-99015-SCT
Docket Number: N/A
State: Mississippi
Issuer: Mississippi Supreme Court
Date: March 18, 2010

Serial: 160909 IN THE SUPREME COURT OF MISSISSIPPI No. 89-R-99015-SCT IN RE: LOCAL RULES ORDER This matter is before the Court en banc on the Petition for Proposed Local Rule Regarding Courtroom Decorum filed by the Circuit Court for the Eighteenth Circuit Court District. The proposed Rule No. 4 is attached as Exhibit A. Having considered the petition, the Court finds that the local rule should be approved. IT IS THEREFORE ORDERED that the Proposed Local Rule 4 Regarding Courtroom Decorum filed by the Circuit Court for the Eighteenth Circuit Court District is hereby approved. IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that the Clerk of this Court shall spread this order upon the minutes of the Court and shall forward a true certified copy hereof to West Publishing Company for publication in the next edition of the Mississippi Rules of Court and in the Southern Reporter, Third Series (Mississippi Edition). SO ORDERED, this the 11th_day of March, 2010. /s/ Michael K. Randolph MICHAEL K. RANDOLPH, JUSTICE TO APPROVE: ALL JUSTICES. Exhibit A RULE 4. COURTROOM DECORUM (a) The Court, having determined the necessity of establishing a local rule for the Eighteenth Circuit Court District of Mississippi relating to courtroom decorum, does adopt the following rules as they pertain to courtroom decorum in said district. (b) When attorneys who are appearing in said district make objections, said attorneys should stand and address said objection to the court. Further, said attorneys should allow the court to rule on the objection before making further comment. (c) Attorneys should always be respectful to the court and not argumentative. (d) Attorneys should not make statements in the presence of a jury that could be interpreted as testimony. (e) Attorneys should refrain from showing emotions of disgust that could possibly influence jurors. (f) Attorneys should not introduce cumulative testimony. (g) Attorneys should speak loudly and clearly enough for the court to hear and the court reporter to record. (h) Attorneys should be civil to one another in the courtroom. (i) Attorneys should not make long, protracted records in the presence of the jury with regard to any of the court’s rulings. Any such record should be made at recesses in order that the trial may proceed without constant interruption. (j) Attorneys should file and notice motions to be heard well in advance of trial, if possible. [Approved by the Supreme Court by order entered March 18, 2010, April 12, 1994 and June 24, 1992.]