West Virginia Jury Instruction — Preliminary Instructions Before Opening Statements — Long Form are instructions given to a jury before the start of a trial. These instructions provide guidance to the jury regarding their role, responsibilities, and the basic framework of the legal process. The purpose is to ensure that jurors understand their obligations and help them make informed decisions based on the evidence presented during the trial. Keywords: West Virginia, jury instruction, preliminary instructions, opening statements, long form, trial, legal process, jury obligations, informed decisions, evidence. Different types of West Virginia Jury Instruction — Preliminary Instructions Before Opening Statements — Long Form may include: 1. Standard Preliminary Instructions: These are the general instructions that are commonly given to juries in West Virginia before the start of a trial. They cover the basic principles and procedures that jurors should be aware of, including their duty to be impartial, the burden of proof, and the presumption of innocence. 2. Criminal Case Preliminary Instructions: This type of long-form instruction is specific to criminal trials. It provides additional information related to elements of specific criminal charges, definitions of legal terms, and instructions on how to evaluate evidence relevant to criminal offenses. 3. Civil Case Preliminary Instructions: Similar to criminal case instructions, civil case preliminary instructions provide guidance to jurors in civil trials. They explain the legal standards that must be met for a plaintiff to prevail in a civil lawsuit, including elements of negligence, contracts, or any other relevant areas of law applicable to the case. 4. Complex Case Preliminary Instructions: These instructions are used in trials involving complex or technical legal issues that require further clarification. They may include detailed explanations of expert testimony, scientific evidence, or intricate legal concepts that may arise during the trial. 5. Wrongful Death Case Preliminary Instructions: In West Virginia, specific instructions may be given in wrongful death cases. These instructions address the unique aspects of wrongful death claims, including elements of damages, proximate cause, and the allocation of compensation among eligible parties. 6. Personal Injury Case Preliminary Instructions: Instructions designed specifically for personal injury cases aim to provide jurors with an understanding of liability, negligence, causation, and damages related to personal injury claims. These different forms of West Virginia Jury Instruction — Preliminary Instructions Before Opening Statements -Long Form help ensure that jurors have the necessary knowledge and understanding of the legal principles relevant to the type of case they will be deciding. By providing clear instructions, the court seeks to promote fairness, impartiality, and a better-informed jury throughout the trial process.