Rule 3.150.No Reaction to Jury Verdict
Current through August 1, 2026 · Last verified September 12, 2026
Full Text of Rule 3.150
Plain-English Summary
The moment a verdict is returned is the most charged one in the building, and this rule governs it. Two duties attach. Everyone present stays seated until the jury has left the room, and nobody reacts in a visible or audible way that disrupts the dignity of the courtroom.
The rule binds all persons present, not only the parties and their lawyers. Supporters in the gallery, family members, and anyone else who came to watch are covered by the same sentence. That breadth is deliberate, because the reaction that undoes the dignity of a verdict rarely comes from counsel table.
This is where the preparation duty in UTCR 3.040 earns its place. Clients and witnesses hear the verdict once, and they will not be reading a rulebook while it happens. A short warning beforehand about staying seated and keeping a reaction to themselves until the jury is gone does the work the rule is after.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I react when the verdict is read?
Not in a way that disrupts the dignity of the courtroom. The rule reaches both visible and audible reactions.
When can I leave the courtroom after the verdict?
After the jury has left the room. Until then, everyone present stays seated.
Does this apply to people watching from the gallery?
Yes. The rule covers all persons present in the courtroom, which includes observers and family members as much as the parties and their attorneys.
Should I warn my client before the verdict comes in?
UTCR 3.040 already asks you to. That rule requires attorneys to advise clients and witnesses of the formalities of the court and to encourage their cooperation, and behavior when a verdict is returned is one of those formalities.
What happens if someone reacts anyway?
The rule states the duty without naming a penalty. It sets the standard, and the court applies it in the room.