Tennessee Jury Instruction - Evidence - Direct and Circumstantial Argument of Counsel and Comment of Court

• Category: Federal - Jury Instructions - Basic Criminal Claim Instructions
• State: Multi-State
• Control #: US-11CR-4-2
• 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.

Tennessee Jury Instruction Evidencenc— - Direct and Circumstantial Argument of Counsel and Comment of Court In Tennessee, jury instructions play a crucial role in guiding jurors on the law applicable to a particular case. One such instruction pertains to the evaluation of evidence and the arguments presented by both the defense and prosecution. Specifically, the Tennessee Jury Instruction on Evidence — Direct and Circumstantial Argument of Counsel and Comment of Court provides guidance on how to assess these types of evidence and the appropriate role of attorneys and the court in the process. Direct evidence refers to evidence that directly proves a fact without requiring any inferences or presumptions. On the other hand, circumstantial evidence refers to evidence that, when considered together, creates an inference or presumption of a certain fact. Both types of evidence have their own significance, and it is important for jurors to understand how they should evaluate and weigh them. Tennessee's law recognizes that both forms of evidence are acceptable and can be used to establish guilt or innocence. The Instruction highlights that there is no legal distinction between the two types of evidence, and jurors should not give more weight to one over the other automatically. Instead, jurors are instructed to assess all the evidence presented, considering its credibility, reliability, and the reasonable inferences that can be drawn from it. The Instruction also covers the role of attorneys and the court in making arguments and commenting on the evidence. Attorneys are allowed to argue the reasonable inferences and conclusions that can be drawn from both direct and circumstantial evidence. However, they must base their arguments on the evidence presented during the trial and avoid any personal opinions or unsupported assertions. The court, on the other hand, has a duty to ensure that both parties have a fair and impartial trial. It may comment on the evidence and instruct the jury accordingly, provided it does not express any opinion on the guilt or innocence of the defendant. These comments serve to clarify legal principles, guide the jury's understanding, and ensure a proper evaluation of the evidence. Different types of situations may arise where variations of this instruction are used, tailored to the specific circumstances of the case. For instance, there may be specific instructions addressing the importance of eyewitness testimony, expert witness testimony, or the reliance on physical evidence. These customized instructions help jurors focus on the relevant aspects of the case and understand the specific nuances involved in evaluating evidence. In conclusion, the Tennessee Jury Instruction regarding the evaluation of evidence, direct and circumstantial arguments of counsel, and comments from the court provides essential guidance to jurors. By emphasizing the equal weight placed on both direct and circumstantial evidence, ensuring valid arguments from attorneys, and clarifying legal principles, this instruction aims to facilitate a fair and unbiased verdict.