Opinion ID: 1798751
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Closing Arguments to the Jury.

Text: Appellant claims that improper argument was made to the jury in several respects. We need not consider whether or not the particular arguments were improper, and if improper, were prejudicial, for the reason that the appellant failed to move for a mistrial before the jury returned its verdict and, therefore, waived any complaint he might have in this regard. [6] Because of this waiver, we do not consider it necessary to detail the alleged improper arguments or to discuss the merits as to any of these arguments. In Kink v. Combs, [7] an argument alleged to have been prejudicial was made by plaintiff's counsel during his opening statement to the jury. This court held that if he felt aggrieved, the defendant should have moved for mistrial at the close of the case. [8] Where a motion for mistrial is grounded on alleged improper and prejudicial argument to the jury, such a motion must be made at some time before the jury returns its verdict. In connection with the assertions of appellant with respect to improper arguments by counsel, the return on this appeal includes the transcribed arguments of counsel for both respondents but no part of the argument by counsel for the appellant. Respondents have moved to strike that part of the return that contains their arguments. That motion is denied. The arguments are properly part of the record although, of course, this court on appeal is bound to be handicapped where a point is made of improper argument where a fair consideration must necessarily involve a review not only of arguments in the record, but those made by counsel, which arguments have not been transcribed and are not part of the record. Trial judges in certifying a trial record on appeal are permitted by affidavit or otherwise to make the record as complete as possible so a fair consideration may be given on appeal to alleged improper argument. It is noted that in this case the arguments of respondents' counsel were taken down and transcribed at the request of appellant. In view of the importance of oral arguments and the number of times on which our court has been asked recently to consider appeals based largely on alleged prejudicial arguments, [9] we are of the opinion that the whole problem of whether, and to what extent, oral arguments to the jury should be taken down and transcribed as part of each trial record is one that merits the attention of the judicial council. Every party requesting a reporter to take down or transcribe oral argument to a jury should make this request part of the trial record so that opposing counsel will be given an opportunity to know of this request and, if desired, to make a similar request of his own.