60-251. Instructions to jury.
60-251
60-251. Instructions to jury.(a) When made. At the close of the evidence or at such earlier timeduring the trial as the judge reasonably directs, any party may filewritten requests that the court instruct the jury on the law as set forthin the requests. The judge shall instruct the jury at the close of theevidence before argument and the judge may, in his or her discretion, after theopening statements, instruct the jury on such matters as in the judge's opinionwill assist the jury in considering the evidence as it is presented.
(b) When waived. No party may assign as error the giving or failureto give an instruction unless he or she objects thereto before the juryretires to consider its verdict stating distinctly the matter to which he orshe objects and the grounds of his or her objection unless the instruction isclearly erroneous. Opportunity shall be given to make the objections out of thehearing of the jury.
History: L. 1963, ch. 303, 60-251; Jan. 1, 1964.