...

It just might come in handy some time, you know. Ha. Just kidding. What I want to know is this - When a prosecutor says "I rest my case" does this mean the Prosecution cannot speak for the duration of the trial, as in no closing statement, or does it just mean the prosecution cannot call and/or question any more witnesses or bring any new evidence to the trial...?


i"m writing a two act play and i want to wrap it up quickly

thanks

bort
np: superchunk

No, but I like to argue.

% level of helpingness = 0%

De donde esta Haq?

percenta esta helpa mia = 4%

I could be wrong but after the prosecution rests they are done producing their witnesses. They oviously are still allowed to cross examine the defense witnesses I believe. Both sides are allowed closing statements I think.

Not sure about rebuttal witnesses.

I think that "prosecution rests" comes after the introduction of evidence and witnesses' testimony, but before closing statements. I'm not positive... maybe rodney could verify.

YOU CANT HANDLE THE TRUTH!

Nacho is a lawyer.
Haq and rparis74 are both in law school.
Am I forgetting any other current or future esquires?

thanks guys. i've made the deadline with minutes to spare!


bort

<-----Currently applying to Law School

What was my help %?

69%

I'm pretty sure Stone's an attorney.

<------has his fucking booklet thingy, is supposed to take the LSAT in May, has been saying this for 3 years and done nothing about it.

I once surved on a jury. I made $17 bucks for the whole day.

i'd like to take this opportunity to say that you need to get on this shit.

Yeah, I play a lawyer in real life.

I know I'm late to the party, but if you say you "rest" that typically means you're done presenting your evidence (which typically includes a case-in-chief and a rebuttal), but you'd still have an opportunity to present a closing argument.

I actually am a prosecutor--and a a geek so I can't let this topic go without throwing in some shit.

Any prosecutor who actually says "I rest my case!" is a jackass. There aren't any magic words you have to say to close your case out.

But after a prosecutor puts on the last state's witness, he can still cross examine the other person's witnesses or call any rebuttal witnesses after the defense is done. You also get a closing arguement. One before the defense gives their closing argument and a shorter rebuttal argument that is the last thing a jury hears. At least that's how its done in Missouri.

Me, too (however, I have nothing useful to add to this thread).

I'm continually impressed by how many lawyers/law students and doctors/med students we have on this board. The average IQ must be through the roof (though I'm pulling it down by my presence).

babe is also an Esq.

I'm an environmental lawyer, so the little "useful" legal knowledge I have is what I learned in law school and for the bar exam. And I've tried to block most of that stuff out since then.

I spent a summer working for the Phila DA's office, and what Grape Ripple said sounds like the same as what happens in PA, as well, and is probably the norm in US criminal courts.

Instead of saying "I rest my case," I've heard a lot of prosecutors say "The prosecution rests" or "the state rests" "or the gov't rests" (depending upon who the prosecutor is bringing the case for). You might also want to tack on a ", your honor" at the end.

in case it was not caught previously, i was working on a fictional play. the prosecutor was a jackass, so everything fallls into place. thanks everyone!

bort

np: dim dim