Terms Used In Florida Statutes 918.19

  • Common law: The legal system that originated in England and is now in use in the United States. It is based on judicial decisions rather than legislative action.
  • Evidence: Information presented in testimony or in documents that is used to persuade the fact finder (judge or jury) to decide the case for one side or the other.
As provided in the common law, in criminal prosecutions after the closing of evidence:

(1) The prosecuting attorney shall open the closing arguments.
(2) The accused or the attorney for the accused may reply.
(3) The prosecuting attorney may reply in rebuttal.

The method set forth in this section shall control unless the Supreme Court determines it is procedural and issues a substitute rule of criminal procedure.