Section 16-27.Jury Request for Review of Testimony

Current through August 12, 2025 (2026 Practice Book edition) · Last verified July 9, 2026

In one sentenceWhen a deliberating jury asks to review testimony, the court brings the jury back to the courtroom and, if the request is reasonable, has the requested testimony read aloud after notifying and consulting counsel.

Full Text of Section 16-27

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If the jury after retiring for deliberations requests a review of certain testimony, the jury shall be conducted to the courtroom. Whenever the jury’s request is reasonable, the judicial authority, after notice to and consultation with counsel, shall have the requested parts of the testimony read to the jury. (See Sec. 863, P.B. 1978-1997.)

End

Amendment History

(P.B. 1998.)

Plain-English Summary

If the jury, once it starts deliberating, wants to hear certain testimony again, the court conducts the jury back into the courtroom. The judge must first give notice to counsel and consult with them, and if the jury’s request is reasonable, the court has the requested parts of the testimony read to the jury.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a jury ask to hear testimony read back during deliberations?

Yes. Under Section 16-27, a deliberating jury may request a review of certain testimony, and the jury is brought back to the courtroom to hear it.

Does the court have to grant every request to hear testimony again?

The court has the requested testimony read only when the jury’s request is reasonable, after notice to and consultation with counsel.

Are the attorneys involved when the jury asks for a testimony readback?

Yes. The judicial authority must give notice to counsel and consult with them before having the testimony read to the jury.

Source & verification. The section text is reproduced verbatim from the official Connecticut Practice Book (Conn. Practice Book § 16-27). Prescribed by the Judges of the Superior Court of Connecticut (Conn. Gen. Stat. Section 51-14). The plain-English summary is original and written by us. Last verified July 9, 2026. · Official source

Also known as: jury asks for testimony readback CTread back testimony to jury Connecticutjury request during deliberationsreviewing testimony during deliberation