At the conclusion of evidence, which action occurs?

• A. the defendant may deliver a summation to the jury
• B. the jury must retire and deliberate and if possible render a verdict
• C. the people may deliver a summation to the jury
• D. the court must deliver a charge to the jury

Answer: (B)

When evidence is closed, the case is submitted to the jury for decision. The jurors must retire to deliberate and, if possible, render a verdict. This reflects the jury’s primary role: to consider the evidence, apply the law as charged by the court, and reach a verdict if a decision can be reached. Closing arguments and the court’s instructions typically occur around this stage, but the immediate action after evidence is finished is for the jury to retire and deliberate. The other options describe steps that relate to arguments or instructions rather than the jurors’ immediate next duty.