W.Va. R. Crim. P. 30

As amended through January 31, 2024
Rule 30 - Instructions to jury; objections

At the close of the evidence or at such earlier time during the trial as the court reasonably directs, any party may file written requests that the court instruct the jury on the law as set forth in the requests. At the same time, copies of such requests shall be furnished to all parties. The court shall inform counsel of its proposed action upon the requests and disclose to counsel all other instructions it intends to give before the arguments to the jury are begun and the instructions given by the court. The court may instruct the jury before or after the arguments are completed or at both times. The instructions given by the court, whether in the form of a connected charge or otherwise, shall be in writing and shall not comment upon the evidence, except that supplemental written instructions may be given later, after opportunity to object thereto has been accorded to the parties. The court may show the written instructions to the jury and permit the jury to take the written instructions to the jury room. No party may assign as error the giving or the refusal to give an instruction or the giving of any portion of the charge unless that party objects thereto before the arguments to the jury are begun, stating distinctly the matter to which that party objects and the grounds of the objection; but the court or any appellate court may, in the interest of justice, notice plain error in the giving or refusal to give an instruction, whether or not it has been made the subject of objection. Opportunity shall be given to make objection to the giving or refusal to give an instruction out of the presence of the jury.

W.Va. R. Crim. P. 30

Effective 10/1/1981; amended effective 2/1/1985;9/1/1995.