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).
Prospective jurors who lie during voir dire—the process of jury selection—can find themselves in serious legal trouble. We do not recommend doing this.
Request for Excuse Physical or Mental Disability. Care to Another (non-professional) Extreme Financial Burden. Completed Call-In or Reporting Jury Service within the past 12 months (this includes service as a Grand Juror) Active Duty Military.
Any access questions or requests for assistance can be conveyed to the central jury staff, court clerk or judge in the courtroom where you are assigned. I'm over 70; why am I still being called for jury duty? There is no maximum age limit for jury service.
PATTERN JURY INSTRUCTIONS WHICH PROVIDE A BODY OF BRIEF, UNIFORM INSTRUCTIONS THAT FULLY STATE THE LAW WITHOUT NEEDLESS REPETION ARE PRESENTED; BASIC, SPECIAL, OFFENSE, AND TRIAL INSTRUCTIONS ARE INCLUDED.
The JI-ALL database includes all state and federal published, pattern, standard, and model civil and criminal jury instructions. To access this database, click Dockets, Trial Filings, and Jury Verdicts at the top of the page, then click Jury Instructions Combined in the Jury Instructions section.
(1) Members of the jury, now it is time for me to instruct you about the law you must follow in deciding this case. (2) I will start by explaining your duties and the general rules that apply in every criminal case. (3) Then I will explain the elements of the crimes that the defendant is accused of committing.
What happens if you don't show up for jury duty in California? Report for jury service if qualified and not excused or postponed. Failing to respond may result in fines up to $1,500, incarceration, or both. Follow summons instructions and contact the court for assistance.
A party who objects to any portion of the instructions or to a failure to give a requested instruction must inform the court of the specific objection and the grounds for the objection before the jury retires to deliberate.