The Massachusetts Jury Instruction — Preliminary Instructions Before Opening Statements — Short Form is a crucial component of the Massachusetts trial process. These instructions are given to the jury at the beginning of a trial to provide them with essential information about their role, the legal procedures, and the expectations they should have throughout the trial. The purpose of the Massachusetts Jury Instruction — Preliminary Instructions Before Opening Statements — Short Form is to acquaint the jurors with their responsibilities and to guide them on how to evaluate the evidence presented during the trial. This instruction helps ensure that the jurors have a clear understanding of their duty and the principles that govern the law. Some key points covered in the Massachusetts Jury Instruction — Preliminary Instructions Before Opening Statements — Short Form may include: 1. Introduction: The instruction begins with an introduction to the jury trial process. It may include a brief explanation of the case they are about to hear and the involvement of both the prosecution and the defense. 2. Role of the Jury: The instruction outlines the essential role of the jury in a trial. It clarifies that the jury is responsible for determining the facts of the case, applying the law as instructed by the judge, and reaching a fair and impartial verdict. 3. Presumption of Innocence: The instruction emphasizes the principle of "presumption of innocence" and reminds the jury that the defendant is innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. They are instructed not to draw any adverse inferences from the defendant's presence in court or the fact that they are facing trial. 4. Burden of Proof: The instruction explains the burden of proof, pointing out that it rests solely on the prosecution. The jury is informed that the prosecution must present sufficient evidence to establish the guilt of the defendant beyond a reasonable doubt. 5. Opening Statements: The instruction highlights that opening statements by both the prosecution and the defense are not considered evidence. It clarifies that these statements are simply an outline of what each side intends to prove during the trial. 6. Objectivity and Fairness: The instruction stresses the importance of objectivity and fairness in the jury's decision-making process. The jury is instructed to set aside any biases, prejudices, or personal opinions and to base their judgment solely on the evidence presented before them. It is important to note that while the Massachusetts Jury Instruction — Preliminary Instructions Before Opening Statements — Short Form is a standard set of instructions, there might be slight variations in wording or emphasis depending on the specific case and the judge presiding over the trial. Different types or versions of Massachusetts Jury Instruction — Preliminary Instructions Before Opening Statements — Short Form may exist to address specific legal elements or nuances related to different types of cases, such as criminal trials, civil trials, or specific areas of law like personal injury or contract disputes. However, the general content and principles of these instructions remain similar across all types.
Massachusetts Jury Instruction - Preliminary Instructions Before Opening Statements - Short Form
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Specific intent means that ?a defendant must not only have consciously intended to take certain actions, but that he also consciously intended certain consequences.? Commonwealth v. Gunter, 427 Mass. 259, 269, 692 N.E.2d 515, 523 (1998).
Either before or after the closing arguments by the lawyers, the judge will explain the law that applies to the case to you. This is the judge's instruction to the jury. You have to apply that law to the facts, as you have heard them, in arriving at your verdict.
Jury instructions are instructions for jury deliberation that are written by the judge and given to the jury. At trial, jury deliberation occurs after evidence is presented and closing arguments are made.
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 Texas Pattern Jury Charges series is widely accepted by attorneys and judges as the most authoritative guide for drafting questions, instructions, and definitions in a broad variety of cases.
Jury instructions are given to the jury by the judge, who usually reads them aloud to the jury. The judge issues a judge's charge to inform the jury how to act in deciding a case. The jury instructions provide something of a flowchart on what verdict jurors should deliver based on what they determine to be true.
The judge will advise the jury that it is the sole judge of the facts and of the credibility (believability) of witnesses. He or she will note that the jurors are to base their conclusions on the evidence as presented in the trial, and that the opening and closing arguments of the lawyers are not evidence.
The idea behind a limiting instruction is that it is better to admit relevant and probative evidence, even in a limited capacity, and take the chance that the jury will properly apply it in its decision making, rather than to exclude it altogether.