Section 1093 Of Chapter 2. The Trial From California Penal Code >> Title 7. >> Part 2. >> Chapter 2.
1093
. The jury having been impaneled and sworn, unless waived, the
trial shall proceed in the following order, unless otherwise directed
by the court:
(a) If the accusatory pleading be for a felony, the clerk shall
read it, and state the plea of the defendant to the jury, and in
cases where it charges a previous conviction, and the defendant has
confessed the same, the clerk in reading it shall omit therefrom all
that relates to such previous conviction. In all other cases this
formality may be dispensed with.
(b) The district attorney, or other counsel for the people, may
make an opening statement in support of the charge. Whether or not
the district attorney, or other counsel for the people, makes an
opening statement, the defendant or his or her counsel may then make
an opening statement, or may reserve the making of an opening
statement until after introduction of the evidence in support of the
charge.
(c) The district attorney, or other counsel for the people shall
then offer the evidence in support of the charge. The defendant or
his or her counsel may then offer his or her evidence in support of
the defense.
(d) The parties may then respectively offer rebutting testimony
only, unless the court, for good reason, in furtherance of justice,
permit them to offer evidence upon their original case.
(e) When the evidence is concluded, unless the case is submitted
on either side, or on both sides, without argument, the district
attorney, or other counsel for the people, and counsel for the
defendant, may argue the case to the court and jury; the district
attorney, or other counsel for the people, opening the argument and
having the right to close.
(f) The judge may then charge the jury, and shall do so on any
points of law pertinent to the issue, if requested by either party;
and the judge may state the testimony, and he or she may make such
comment on the evidence and the testimony and credibility of any
witness as in his or her opinion is necessary for the proper
determination of the case and he or she may declare the law. At the
beginning of the trial or from time to time during the trial, and
without any request from either party, the trial judge may give the
jury such instructions on the law applicable to the case as the judge
may deem necessary for their guidance on hearing the case. Upon the
jury retiring for deliberation, the court shall advise the jury of
the availability of a written copy of the jury instructions. The
court may, at its discretion, provide the jury with a copy of the
written instructions given. However, if the jury requests the court
to supply a copy of the written instructions, the court shall supply
the jury with a copy.