Legal Definitions - general instruction

A general instruction refers to the foundational legal guidance provided by a judge to a jury during a trial. These instructions cover universal legal principles, the jury's role and responsibilities, and standard procedures that apply broadly to most cases, rather than specific details or arguments unique to the particular facts of the trial. They are distinct from "specific instructions," which delve into the particular elements of the charges or claims being tried.

Here are some examples illustrating general instructions:

• In a criminal trial for assault, the judge provides a general instruction to the jury explaining that the prosecution bears the burden of proving the defendant's guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. This instruction explains a fundamental legal standard that applies to all criminal cases, regardless of the specific evidence presented or the nature of the alleged crime.

• During a civil lawsuit concerning a property boundary dispute, the judge gives a general instruction advising the jurors on how to evaluate witness testimony. The judge explains that they should consider factors such as a witness's demeanor, any potential bias, the consistency of their statements, and their opportunity to observe the events, without directing them on which witness to believe or disbelieve.

• At the outset of a complex fraud trial, the judge provides a general instruction explaining to the jury that their role is to determine the facts of the case based solely on the evidence presented in court, and to apply the law as the judge explains it. This instruction also reminds them not to be influenced by sympathy, prejudice, or any information they might have encountered outside of the courtroom, setting the basic framework for the jury's duties.