Trial Information:  Click a topic below for more information.

Trial Dates   Trial Briefs   Voir Dire Examination   
Preliminary Jury Instructions   Opening Statement   Closing Arguments   
Jury Procedures
    

A. Trial Dates

A presumptive trial month is assigned shortly after the case is filed.  A precise date during that month will be assigned at the Final Pretrial Conference.  Continuances will be granted only in exceptional circumstances. 

Trial begins at 8:00 a.m. and continues until 4:30 p.m.  Jurors are usually given one and one-half hours for a lunch break.  Less time is allowed for lunch during bench trials.

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B. Trial Briefs

Trial briefs shall be filed only when necessary to address an unusual point of law.  Briefs shall be filed at the Final Pretrial Conference when possible.

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C. Voir Dire

The Court will conduct limited voir dire on basic issues.  The attorneys are then granted wide latitude to conduct their own voir dire.  Time limitations may be imposed, but it is not necessary to submit voir dire questions to the Court.  Each side is granted peremptory challenges in accordance with the Federal Rules.  The Court first entertains challenges for cause, and then jurors are tendered one at a time (odd numbered jurors tendered to the plaintiff first, even numbered jurors tendered to the defendant first), until all jurors are selected.  In a civil case, the court reporter will not be present during voir dire unless requested by a party.  

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D. Decorum

In civil cases, motion hearings are generally held informally at counsel table in the courtroom. In all cases, trial examinations are not required at a lectern. Lawyers are given wide latitude to conduct their examinations using their best judgment and advocacy skills. It is not necessary to ask permission to approach a witness.

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E. Preliminary Jury Instructions

The Court will give the jury standard preliminary instructions after it has been empanelled but before opening statements.  Counsel will receive a copy of these instructions on the morning of trial.

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F. Opening Statements

There are no time limits on opening statements.  Exhibits may be used during opening statement, unless the Court has taken under advisement an objection to the exhibit.

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G. Stipulations

Stipulations are strongly encouraged to save time and resources. Stipulations will be read to the jury at an appropriate time. Counsel is responsible for providing the Court with a written stipulation.

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H. Depositions

Videotaped depositions are strongly encouraged. The Court has the technology to play VHS tapes only. Counsel shall contact the courtroom deputy in advance of trial to discuss precise courtroom technology needs. Counsel is responsible for providing someone to read the witness portion of depositions when a videotape is not available. Counsel should review deposition transcripts and bring only the objections which cannot be resolved to the Court's attention sufficiently in advance of the time when the deposition will be used to allow thorough consideration of the objections. The party offering the deposition is responsible for providing a copy to the court reporter to highlight in lieu of transcribing the deposition testimony read at trial. 

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I. Media Equipment

The Court has the DOARS system available for use during trial. The DOARS system allows the user to project images onto a large screen and monitors in the courtroom. The system clearly projects objects, texts, and photographs. It is not necessary for text to be on transparencies, but the system will accommodate transparencies, if necessary. The Court also has the technology to play VHS tapes. Again, counsel should contact the courtroom deputy clerk to discuss specific technology needs. 

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J. Experts

Opposing counsel shall bring any issues concerning an expert's qualifications to the Court's attention prior to the Final Pretrial Conference. 

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K. Transcripts

Requests for transcripts shall be made on an AO 435 form. Specific questions concerning transcripts should be directed to Molly Clayton (618/482-9226) or "Molly_Clayton@ilsd.uscourts.gov". If on appeal, a "Seventh Circuit Transcript Information Sheet" included in the appeal packet sent by the Clerk of Court must be completed. See Local Rule 80.1.

Arrangements for daily transcripts should be made prior to trial. Specific questions concerning transcripts should be directed to the court reporter. 

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L. Closing Arguments

There are generally no time limitations on closing arguments.  The Court decides on a case-by-case basis whether to instruct the jury before or after closing arguments.

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M. Jury Procedures

Jurors are allowed to take notes, and all exhibits admitted during the trial are sent to the jury room when the jury retires to deliberate, along with an exhibit list.  Each juror will receive a copy of the jury instructions.  Jurors are allowed, but not encouraged, to ask questions in writing.  Attorneys are allowed to talk to a juror after the trial only if the juror consents.  Specific details about post-trial juror contact will be provided following the return of a verdict.

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