(a) Circuit Court – District Division
(1) Opening Statements. Opening statements are not permitted in circuit court – district division trials except with permission of the court for good cause shown. When opening statements are permitted, the prosecution shall make an opening statement prior to presenting evidence. At its option in such a case, the defense may open immediately thereafter or after the prosecution has concluded its case-in-chief and before presenting defense evidence. Opening statements shall not be argumentative, and except by prior leave of the court, shall be no longer than thirty minutes.
(2) Order of Evidence. The prosecution shall present evidence first in its case-in-chief. During the case-in-chief, the defense may introduce evidence through the pros