Alternate jurors are occasionally selected to sit with the jury on cases which are anticipated to last a long period of time. Throughout the trial, up to the time of deliberation, the alternates are treated the same and are subject to the same rules as are the members of the regular panel. Alternate jurors are seated as closely as possible to the regular panel. Care should be taken to insure that they are in a position to observe the entire proceedings. Should a member of the regular panel become ill or unable to finish the case, the alternate juror will be appointed by the court to take the excused member's place in the jury box.
The alternate jurors receive the same instructions as the regular jurors, but only the regular panel goes into the jury deliberation room to decide the case. The bailiff or another deputy will be sworn to take charge of the alternate jurors and to keep them apart from the jury while they are deliberating on the case. Until otherwise instructed by the court, the bailiff shall not speak to jurors, or allow anyone else to speak to them upon any matter connected with the case except by order of the court. Any time the jury is brought back into the courtroom during their deliberations, the alternate jurors must also be present.