Virginia Jury Instruction - Credibility of Witnesses

• Category: Federal - Jury Instructions - Basic Criminal Claim Instructions
• State: Multi-State
• Control #: US-11CR-5
• 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.

Virginia Jury Instruction — Credibility of Witnesses is a legal instruction given to the jury in a trial to assess the trustworthiness and truthfulness of witnesses' testimonies. It assists the jury in evaluating the credibility of witnesses by considering various factors and determining their reliability in order to make informed decisions regarding the weight and value of the evidence presented. Keywords: Virginia, jury instruction, credibility of witnesses, legal instruction, trustworthiness, truthfulness, testimonies, assess, evaluate, reliability, decisions, weight, evidence, factors. Different types of Virginia Jury Instruction — Credibility of Witnesses: 1. General Credibility Instruction: This instruction guides the jury to consider certain general factors that affect the credibility of all witnesses. It emphasizes that the jury should assess witness credibility based on their demeanor, personal interest, bias, capacity to observe, memory, manner of testifying, consistency, and any contradictory evidence. 2. Expert Witness Credibility Instruction: This instruction is specifically provided when an expert witness testifies. It aids the jury in determining the credibility and weight to be given to an expert's opinion by considering the witness's qualifications, the basis for their opinion, any contradictory evidence or opinions presented, and the clarity and coherence of their testimony. 3. Prior Inconsistent Statements Instruction: This instruction is given when a witness makes contradictory statements during the trial compared to their previous statements made outside the courtroom. It informs the jury that the credibility of a witness may be affected if they gave inconsistent statements and advises the jury on how to evaluate the impact of such inconsistencies. 4. Impeachment Instruction: This particular instruction is employed when a witness's credibility is challenged or impeached by presenting evidence of their prior convictions, misconduct, or dishonesty. It advises the jury regarding how such impeachment evidence can impact the witness's credibility and asks them to consider whether it affects the believability of the witness's testimony. 5. Accomplice Witness Credibility Instruction: This instruction is used when a witness testifying against the defendant is an accomplice or has a potential motive to lie. It educates the jury on being cautious while assessing the credibility of such witnesses by considering their potential bias, personal interests, incentives to testify, and whether their testimony is corroborated by other evidence. Overall, the Virginia Jury Instruction — Credibility of Witnesses plays a crucial role in helping the jury effectively evaluate the credibility and reliability of witness testimonies in order to ensure a fair and just trial.