Minnesota Session Laws - 1999, Regular Session

                             CHAPTER 72-S.F.No. 198 
                  An act relating to criminal procedure; specifying that 
                  the prosecution has the right to reply in rebuttal to 
                  the closing argument of the defense; amending 
                  Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 631.07. 
        BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA: 
           Section 1.  Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 631.07, is 
        amended to read: 
           631.07 [ORDER OF FINAL ARGUMENT.] 
           When the giving of evidence is concluded in a criminal 
        trial, unless the case is submitted on both sides without 
        argument, the prosecution may make a closing argument to the 
        jury.  The defense may then make its closing argument to the 
        jury.  The court shall permit the prosecution to reply in 
        rebuttal, which shall be limited to a response to any 
        misstatement of law or fact or a statement that is inflammatory 
        or prejudicial made by the defense in its closing argument.  The 
        prosecution shall then have the right to reply in rebuttal to 
        the closing argument of the defense. 
           Sec. 2.  [RULE SUPERSEDED.] 
           Minnesota Rules of Criminal Procedure, rule 26.03, 
        subdivision 11, is superseded to the extent it conflicts with 
        section 1.  
           Sec. 3.  [EFFECTIVE DATE.] 
           Sections 1 and 2 are effective August 1, 1999, and apply to 
        crimes committed on or after that date. 
           Presented to the governor April 16, 1999 
           Signed by the governor April 20, 1999, 9:12 a.m.