(a) When given. — The court shall give instructions to the jury at the conclusion of all the evidence and before closing arguments and may supplement them at a later time when appropriate. In its discretion, the court may also give opening and interim instructions.
Rule 2-520.Instructions to the jury
Circuit Court · Last amended January 1, 2004 · Last verified July 13, 2026
In one sentenceGoverns when a court instructs the jury, what the instructions can cover, and how a party preserves an objection to them.
Full Text of Rule 2-520
(b) Written requests. — The parties may file written requests for instructions at or before the close of the evidence and shall do so at any time fixed by the court.
(c) How given. — The court may instruct the jury, orally or in writing or both, by granting requested instructions, by giving instructions of its own, or by combining any of these methods. The court need not grant a requested instruction if the matter is fairly covered by instructions actually given.
(d) Reference to evidence. — In instructing the jury, the court may refer to or summarize the evidence in order to present clearly the issues to be decided. In that event, the court shall instruct the jury that it is the sole judge of the facts, the weight of the evidence, and the credibility of the witnesses.
(e) Objections. — No party may assign as error the giving or the failure to give an instruction unless the party objects on the record promptly after the court instructs the jury, stating distinctly the matter to which the party objects and the grounds of the objection. Upon request of any party, the court shall receive objections out of the hearing of the jury.
Amendment History
Amended Nov. 12, 2003, effective Jan. 1, 2004.
Plain-English Summary
The court instructs the jury at the close of all the evidence, before closing arguments, and may add to those instructions later if needed. Judges also have discretion to give opening and interim instructions along the way. Parties can — and if the court sets a deadline, must — file written requests for instructions at or before the close of the evidence.
The court can deliver instructions orally, in writing, or both, and can grant a party's requested instruction, write its own, or mix the two; it doesn't have to give a requested instruction if the substance is already covered elsewhere. In explaining the issues, the judge may refer to or summarize the evidence, but if the court does that, it also has to tell the jury that the jury alone judges the facts, weighs the evidence, and assesses witness credibility. To challenge an instruction — whether one given or one refused — a party must object on the record promptly after the court instructs the jury, spelling out distinctly what the objection covers and why. Any party who asks gets to raise that objection outside the jury's hearing.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does the judge instruct the jury?
At the conclusion of all the evidence and before closing arguments, with the option to supplement the instructions later. The court also has discretion to give opening and interim instructions.
Can the judge summarize the evidence when instructing the jury?
Yes, to help clarify the issues, but the court must also tell the jury it is the sole judge of the facts, the weight of the evidence, and witness credibility.
Does the court have to give every instruction a party requests?
No. The court doesn't need to grant a requested instruction if the matter is already covered by the instructions it gives.
How does a party preserve an objection to a jury instruction?
By objecting on the record promptly after the court instructs the jury, stating distinctly the matter objected to and the grounds — otherwise the objection isn't preserved for appeal.
Can a party object to an instruction outside the jury's hearing?
Yes. On request, the court will take the objection out of the jury's hearing.
Source & verification. Rule text, Committee Note, Source note, and
amendment history are reproduced verbatim from the Maryland Rules, adopted by the
Supreme Court of Maryland. Last verified July 13, 2026. ·
Official source
Also known as: jury instructions maryland ruleobjecting to jury instructions marylandrequested jury instructions maryland civilwhen are jury instructions given maryland