Rule 614 Calling and Interrogation of Witnesses by Court

• Jurisdiction: Arizona

(a) Calling by court. The court may, on its own motion or at the suggestion of a party, call witnesses, and all parties are entitled to cross-examine witnesses thus called.

(b) Interrogation by court. The court may interrogate witnesses, whether called by itself or by a party.

(c) Objections. Objections to the calling of witnesses by the court or to interrogation by it may be made at the time or at the next available opportunity when the jury is not present.

Comment

The trial court has broad discretion in calling and interrogating witnesses,[1] and in asking witnesses written questions submitted to it by jurors.[2] It may also examine a co-defendant when the co-defendant has entered a plea agreement and then made inconsistent statements.

A party may object to the calling of witnesses or to questions asked by the trial court either at the time of the questioning or at the next available opportunity when the jurors are not...