Trial jury; viewing of premises

§ 270.50 Trial jury; viewing of premises.

1. When the court is of the opinion that a viewing or observation by
the jury of the premises or place where an offense on trial was
allegedly committed, or of any other premises or place involved in the
case, will be helpful to the jury in determining any material factual
issue, it may in its discretion, at any time before the commencement of
the summations, order that the jury be conducted to such premises or
place for such purpose in accordance with the provisions of this
section.

2. In such case, the jury must be kept together throughout under the
supervision of an appropriate public servant or servants appointed by
the court, and the court itself must be present throughout. The
prosecutor, the defendant and counsel for the defendant may as a matter
of right be present throughout, but such right may be waived.

3. The purpose of such an inspection is solely to permit visual
observation by the jury of the premises or place in question, and
neither the court, the parties, counsel nor the jurors may engage in
discussion or argumentation concerning the significance or implications
of anything under observation or concerning any issue in the case.