After the closing of evidence, trial counsel shall be permitted to open the argument. Defense counsel shall be permitted to reply. Trial counsel shall then be permitted to reply in rebuttal.

Arguments may properly include reasonable comment on the evidence in the case, including inferences to be drawn therefrom, in support of a party’s theory of the case.

The military judge may exercise reasonable control over argument. See R.C.M. 801(a)(3). Argument may include comment about the testimony, conduct, motives, interests, and biases of witnesses to the extent supported by the evidence. Counsel should not express a personal belief or opinion as to the truth or falsity of any testimony or evidence or the guilt or innocence of the accused, nor should counsel make arguments calculated to inflame passions or prejudices. In argument, counsel may treat the testimony of witnesses as conclusively establishing the facts related by the witnesses. Counsel may not cite legal authorities or the facts of other cases when arguing to members on findings. Trial counsel may not comment on the accused’s exercise of the right against self-incrimination or the right to counsel. See Mil. R. Evid. 512. Trial counsel may not argue that the prosecution’s evidence is unrebutted if the only rebuttal could come from the accused. When the accused is on trial for several offenses and testifies only as to some of the offenses, trial counsel may not comment on the accused’s failure to testify as to the others. When the accused testifies on the merits regarding an offense charged, trial counsel may comment on the accused’s failure in that testimony to deny or explain specific incriminating facts that the evidence for the prosecution tends to establish regarding that offense. Trial counsel may not comment on the failure of the defense to call witnesses or of the accused to testify at the Article 32 preliminary hearing or upon the probable effect of the court-martial’s findings on relations between the military and civilian communities. The rebuttal argument of trial counsel is generally limited to matters argued by the defense. If trial counsel is permitted to introduce new matter in closing argument, the defense should be allowed to reply in rebuttal. However, this will not preclude trial counsel from presenting a final argument.

Failure to object to improper argument before the military judge begins to instruct the members on findings shall constitute forfeiture of the objection.

If an objection that an argument is improper is sustained, the military judge should immediately instruct the members that the argument was improper and that they must disregard it. In extraordinary cases, improper argument may require a mistrial. See R.C.M. 915. The military judge should be alert to improper argument and take appropriate action when necessary.