I love the law and am curious about so many things that go on in a courtroom. Is the judge permitted to correct, oppose, disagree, etc. with an attorney who is making his closing argument? For instance, if the attorney lies about something that went on during the trial. Is the judge permited to stop the argument?
Tags: Allowed, Arguments, Attorney, Closing, During, Interrupt, Judge
Yes, but not in the way you suggest. I assume you are asking about a jury trial because interruption is always ok in other proceedings. In a jury trial, the court in most states cannot comment upon the evidence. If the lawyer misstates the evidence, the other side can object and the judge will remind the jury that they must decide on the actual evidence, not based on the arguments of counsel. If the lawyer misstates the law, the court can interrupt and remind the jury that the jury instructions are the law to be followed. Mostly, a judge should be neutral and not intervene unless someone raises an objection during the argument.