Delaware Jury Instruction - Impeachment - Inconsistent Statement - Defendant Testifies With No Felony Conviction

• Category: Federal - Jury Instructions - Basic Criminal Claim Instructions
• State: Multi-State
• Control #: US-11CR-6-3
• Format: Word; Rich Text

Description

This form contains sample jury instructions, to be used across the United States. These questions are to be used only as a model, and should be altered to more perfectly fit your own cause of action needs.

Delaware Jury Instruction Impeachmenten— - Inconsistent Statemen— - Defendant Testifies With No Felony Conviction: When a defendant in a Delaware court case testifies on their own behalf and does not have a prior felony conviction, their credibility may be challenged by the prosecution based on any inconsistent statements they have made during their testimony. This form of impeachment refers to the act of undermining the defendant's credibility by highlighting contradictory statements they have made regarding the facts of the case or their prior statements. Inconsistent statements made by the defendant can be impactful during a trial, as they may create doubt in the minds of the jurors about the accuracy or honesty of the defendant's overall testimony. This particular jury instruction is relevant in cases where the defendant has no previous felony conviction. Different types of Delaware Jury Instruction Impeachmenten— - Inconsistent Statemen— - Defendant Testifies With No Felony Conviction instructions include: 1. Weighing Inconsistent Statements: The jury is instructed to carefully evaluate any inconsistent statements made by the defendant during their testimony. They should consider the nature of these inconsistencies, their relevance to the case, and their impact on the overall credibility of the defendant. 2. Prior Statements and Testimony: The jury will be reminded that the defendant's prior statements and testimony, if inconsistent with their current testimony, should be considered during their deliberations. Jurors should assess whether these discrepancies are significant enough to cast doubt on the defendant's truthfulness or reliability. 3. Instructions on Burden of Proof: The instruction will emphasize that the burden of proof lies with the prosecution, and the inconsistencies in the defendant's statements should be evaluated in light of this burden. Jurors should not solely rely on inconsistencies but instead consider them alongside other evidence presented in the case. 4. Consideration of Motives and Bias: Jurors should be instructed to consider any possible motives or biases that could have influenced the defendant's inconsistent statements. They should assess whether there are logical reasons for the inconsistencies or if they indicate a lack of honesty on the part of the defendant. 5. Admissible Evidentiary Standards: The jury instruction may provide clarity on the admissibility of prior inconsistent statements and the standards that must be met for their consideration. This ensures that only legally admissible evidence is evaluated in the impeachment process. Delaware Jury Instruction Impeachmenten— - Inconsistent Statemen— - Defendant Testifies With No Felony Conviction serves as a guide for jurors in determining the reliability and credibility of the defendant's testimony when inconsistencies arise. By considering the different types of instructions and relevant factors, jurors are equipped to make an impartial evaluation of the evidence presented before them, ultimately aiding in the pursuit of justice.