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LSDefine

Simple English definitions for legal terms

jury instructions

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A quick definition of jury instructions:

Jury instructions are rules that a judge gives to a group of people called a jury. The jury listens to evidence and arguments in a trial and then decides if someone is guilty or not guilty. The judge's instructions help the jury understand what they should do and what laws they should follow. Lawyers can suggest instructions to the judge, but the judge decides what to say. The instructions should be short, clear, and fair. If there is a mistake in the instructions, it can make the trial unfair and the decision might be changed later. To help avoid mistakes, some places have standard instructions that judges can use.

A more thorough explanation:

Definition: Jury instructions are written instructions given to the jury by the judge to guide them during deliberation. They explain the basic procedure of the deliberation and the substance of the law on which their decision is based.

For example, in a criminal trial, the judge may instruct the jury that the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. The judge may also explain the elements of the crime the defendant is charged with and what the prosecution must prove to establish guilt.

Attorneys may propose instructions to the judge, but the judge makes the final decision about content and phrasing. The instructions should be brief, concise, relevant to the case, and understandable to the average juror. They should correctly state the law without misleading the jury or inviting unnecessary speculation.

If an attorney opposes the jury instruction, they must properly preserve their objection for appeal. If a judge notices a flaw in the instructions after they are issued, they must immediately correct them. Historically, most successful appeals were the result of errors in jury instructions that confused jurors.

To reduce errors, many jurisdictions use model, standard, or pattern instructions approved by a state court, bench committee, or bar association. These instructions are not binding, but they ease the process of drafting fair jury instructions and theoretically do not have errors.

Overall, jury instructions are important because they ensure that the jury understands the law and applies it correctly to the facts of the case.

jury instruction | jury nullification

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Dkk
19:42
SEO is big money
2016 pushed the conservative party into populism irreversibly
Dkk
19:43
Maybe, but if this is populism, then every election is populist.
19:43
@Dkk: yeah register 1 website and every swinging tom dick and harry calls/emails/texts to 'help with seo'. like bruh, if YOU found it, what i am doing is working
Dkk
19:43
Indeed!
19:48
wasp, i think people are hopeful for a gov who at least attempts to care about the common man
MIAMI A
[] AromaticTroubledDormouse
20:55
How does one know if they are UR1 or UR2?
[] AromaticTroubledDormouse
20:56
CONGRATS MACAQUE!
TY
got a random stanford email and almost had a heart attack
ALSO CONGRATS!
Congrats1!
21:15
Miami A, yall I'm so excited I could cry.
21:15
Feel like I can finally stop holding my breath!! Whew!!!
[] baddestbunny
22:16
every time I get accosted by a strange man who follows me around because my male coworkers were too busy talking to walk me back to my car I get closer to saying we need to bring back traditional gender roles
Dkk
22:32
Nice! @Macaque
Dkk
22:32
@Aromatic, Have to guess.
Dkk
22:33
That sucks @Bunny do you have to go to the hospital?
[] baddestbunny
22:40
I said accosted not assaulted
23:35
guys. my notre dame address just went long is this good or bad
1a2b3c4d26z
23:37
Oooooo me too
23:37
omg is this good or bad
Dkk
23:47
Idk if gender roles are gunna fix that then.
23:49
it looks like most people who applied in october last cycle didn't get a decision until january... does it even mean anything that our addresses went long??
hows ED 2 compared to ED 1?
Dkk
0:10
No idea
windyMagician
0:34
reporting live to say my ndls address also went long
does it mean anything ^
Dkk
2:21
NDLS and Fordham took a very long time last year. It's good info for people to know.
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