Rule 275.Charge Read Before Argument
Last amended January 1, 1988 · Last verified June 28, 2026
In one sentenceRule 275 requires the court to read the charge to the jury, in the precise words in which it was written, before argument begins.
Full Text of Rule 275
Before the argument is begun, the trial court shall read the charge to the jury in the precise words in which it was written, including all questions, definitions, and instructions which the court may give.
End
Plain-English Summary
Rule 275 sets the sequence: before argument begins, the trial court reads the charge to the jury in the precise words in which it was written, including all the questions, definitions, and instructions the court gives.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the jury charge read in a Texas trial?
Before closing argument. Rule 275 requires the court to read the charge to the jury, in its precise written words, before argument begins.
Must a Texas trial judge read the jury charge word for word?
Yes. Rule 275 requires the court to read the charge to the jury in the precise words in which it was written, not a paraphrase or summary.
Does the Texas jury-charge reading include the definitions and instructions, or only the questions?
All of it. Rule 275 requires the court to read the charge in its precise written words, including all the questions, definitions, and instructions the court gives.
Source & verification. Rule text and the official Notes and Comments are reproduced verbatim from the
Texas Rules of Civil Procedure (Tex. R. Civ. P. 275), published by the Texas Judicial Branch (txcourts.gov).
Promulgated by the Supreme Court of Texas. The plain-English summary is original and draws on official sources. Last verified June 28, 2026. ·
Official source
Also known as: charge read before argumentreading the chargeread charge verbatimcharge before closing argumentTRCP 275