Modify Fillable Fields Legal Arkansas Jury Instructions Forms For Free

Model, standard, and pattern instructions are not binding, so a trial court may modify them as necessary to fit the circumstances of the case. A court will often reject parties' proposed jury instructions if there are model instructions available on the topic, in an effort to avoid bias or manipulation.

In both the United States and Canada, jurors having conscientious objection to service are generally excused from service. This chiefly includes religious groups such as the Amish, Conservative Mennonites, and Old Order Mennonites.

The American Bar Association has published a number of books on model jury instructions by topical practice area, as shown below. To find other books on jury instructions, search in the Library's catalog, for subjects: "Instructions to Juries (State)" or Instructions to Juries United States" for federal publications.

When a party has the burden of proving any claim or affirmative defense by a preponderance of the evidence, it means you must be persuaded by the evidence that the claim or affirmative defense is more probably true than not true.

An individual may be excused if the judge finds that either the juror's health or family responsibilities reasonably require his or her absence. The law does not allow a juror to be excused because of occupation or employment. A request must state the nature of your conflict or hardship.

The Need to Object to Bad Jury Instructions As a rule, legally erroneous instructions are presumably objected to by the opposing party. That's a standard for California courts. However, it's a good idea for the opposing party to put any objections to those instructions on the record.

For jury instructions to be effective, they must be clear and simple. Sentences should be short; instruc- • tions should contain no more than a few sentences, cover only one topic, and be directly related to the circumstances of the case (they should not be abstract statements of the law).

What are some of the best excuses people have used when they didn't want to show up for jury duty? You are not fluent in English. You are disabled, evidenced by a physician's attestation. You are hospitalized, again evidenced by a physician's attestation.

Is there an age limit to serve as a juror? In the State of Arkansas, anyone eighteen (18) years of age or older is eligible to serve, however, Arkansas does have a voluntary exemption for a person who is eighty (80) years of age or older.