New Jersey Instruction to Jury in a Paternity Case that the Amount of Support is not a Question for the Jury

• Category: Family Law - Paternity - Child Support
• State: Multi-State
• Control #: US-01449BG
• Format: Word; Rich Text

Description

If a question of paternity of a child is raised, the parties have a right to submit that question to a jury for determination. Therefore, the issue is whether or not defendant is the father of this child. The question of the amount of support for the child or the mother is not for the jury's consideration.

In a paternity case in New Jersey, it is important to understand that the amount of support is not a question for the jury. The New Jersey Instruction to Jury in a Paternity Case clearly emphasizes this point and directs the jury to focus solely on determining the biological father's paternity. While the specific instructions may vary depending on the court and case circumstances, here are a few possible New Jersey Instruction to Jury types related to this matter: 1. "New Jersey Instruction to Jury in a Paternity Case — Support Determination Exclusion": This instruction clearly instructs the jury that determining the amount of support to be provided is excluded from their responsibilities and should not be considered in reaching a verdict. 2. "New Jersey Instruction to Jury in a Paternity Case — Paternity Determination Focus": This instruction emphasizes the importance of the jury's primary task, which is to determine the biological father of the child and stresses that any deliberation or discussions regarding financial support should be disregarded. 3. "New Jersey Instruction to Jury in a Paternity Case — Legal Framework for Support Determination": This instruction briefly outlines the legal framework and relevant factors that come into play when determining child support, but expressly instructs the jury that their role does not extend to calculating or deciding the amount of support owed. It is crucial for the jury to understand their limited scope in regard to the financial aspects of a paternity case. The focus should always be on establishing or disproving paternity, leaving the determination of support to the appropriate legal authorities.