The Standard "Four-Copy" Trial Rule

In every courtroom in America, showing a document to a witness requires having sufficient physical copies immediately available. If you hand an exhibit only to the witness without providing identical copies to the judge and opposing counsel, proceedings grind to a halt.

Mandatory Court Copies:

1. Clerk's Original (Official Exhibit): Marked with the official sticker, used by the court reporter and preserved for the record.
2. Judge's Bench Copy: The presiding judge's personal working copy for annotating during testimony.
3. Witness Stand Copy: Placed at the witness lectern so witnesses can examine the document during direct or cross-examination.
4. Opposing Counsel Copy: Delivered to opposing counsel to verify completeness and state evidentiary objections.
5. Counsel Working Copy: Your personal trial binder with your examination outlines and foundation questions.