Conn. Practice Book § 42-35 (2026)

Sec. 42-35. Order of Parties Proceeding at Trial Unless the judicial authority for cause permits otherwise, the parties shall proceed with the trial in the following order: (1) The prosecuting authority shall present the case-in-chief. (2) The defendant may present a case-in-chief. (3) The prosecuting authority and the defendant may present rebuttal evidence in successive rebuttals, as required. The judicial authority for cause may permit a party to present evidence not of a rebuttal nature, and if the prosecuting authority is permitted to present further evidence- in-chief, the defendant may respond with further evidence-in-chief. (4) The prosecuting authority shall be entitled to make the opening and final closing arguments. (5) The defendant may make a single closing argument following the opening argument of the prosecuting authority. (P.B. 1978-1997, Sec. 874.)