Hawaii Jury Instruction - 13.13.1 General Instruction

• Category: Federal - Jury Instructions
• State: Multi-State
• Control #: US-11CF-13-13-1
• 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.

Hawaii Jury Instruction — 13.13.1 General Instruction serves as a vital tool for judges to provide essential guidance to the jury in criminal trials. This instruction provides information on key concepts and principles that the jury needs to understand in order to make informed decisions and reach an impartial verdict. It ensures uniformity and consistency in the jury's comprehension of the law. Here's an in-depth look at the various aspects of Hawaii Jury Instruction — 13.13.1 General Instruction: 1. Definition and Purpose: — The instruction defines the purpose of the general instruction, which is to provide the jury with an overview of fundamental legal principles that will guide their decision-making process. 2. Overview of Roles and Responsibilities: — This section outlines the respective roles and responsibilities of the judge, jury, and attorneys involved in the trial. It clarifies that the judge is responsible for determining the law, jurors are responsible for determining the facts, and attorneys' roles include presenting evidence and arguing the case. 3. Evaluation of Witnesses' Testimony: — The instruction emphasizes the jury's role in evaluating witnesses' testimony by instructing them on credibility assessment factors. It explains that witnesses may have different biases, motives, or levels of reliability, and the jurors must scrutinize testimony accordingly. 4. Presumption of Innocence: — This section reinforces the long-standing principle that every defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. It stresses the importance of this presumption and advises the jurors not to let sympathy or bias cloud their judgment. 5. Burden of Proof: — The instruction clarifies that the prosecution carries the burden of proving the defendant guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. It outlines the reasons behind this allocation of burden and reminds the jurors to carefully consider the evidence presented. 6. Reasonable Doubt: — This portion defines the concept of "reasonable doubt" for the jury, emphasizing that it is not an imaginary or speculative doubt but rather a doubt based on reason and common sense. It encourages jurors to consider all evidence in determining whether the prosecution has met its burden. 7. Standard of Proof: — The instruction explains the "beyond a reasonable doubt" standard as the highest standard of proof used in criminal cases. It instructs the jury to find the defendant guilty only if they have no reasonable doubt about the defendant's guilt. Different types of Hawaii Jury Instruction — 13.13.1 General Instruction may be applicable depending on the specific criminal charges, legal elements involved, and nuances of the case. These instructions are customized and tailored to accurately reflect the relevant laws, ensuring that the jury receives precise guidance in line with the specific circumstances of each trial.