People v. Pannell

Decisions of this Court* 1 and court rules2 absolutely proscribe communica*167tion by a judge or a court officer with the jury *168without notice to the parties and in the courtroom3 in their presence.4 The judge may further instruct a deliberating jury in the presence of or after reasonable notice to the parties.5 Trial attorneys are required to "attend” until the verdict of the jury is announced.6 All communications pertaining to the case between the judge and the jury are required to be made a part of the record.7

The standard jury instructions, both civil and criminal, include an instruction that…