(a) Calling by court.—The court may, on its own motion or at the suggestion of a party, call witnesses, and all parties are entitled to cross-examine witnesses thus called.
(b) Interrogation by court.—The court may interrogate witnesses, whether called by itself or by a party.
(c) Objections.—Objections to the calling of witnesses by the court or to interrogation by it may be made at the time or at the next available opportunity when the jury is not present.
added in current removed in current
Compared to current version (2025).
(a) Calling. by court.-The court may, on it call a witness own motioits own or at the suggestion of a party, call witnesses, and all parties area party’s request. Each party is entitled to cross-examine the witnesses thus called.
(b) Interrogation by court.-The court may interrogate witnesses, whether called by itself or by a party.
(b) Examining. The court may examine a witness regardless of who calls the witness.
(c) Objections.-O A party may objections to the calling of witnesses by the court or to interrogation by it may be made at theourt’s calling or examining a witness either at that time or at the next available opportunity when the jury is not present.
(As amended Apr. 26, 2011, eff. Dec. 1, 2011.)