Jury briefs are instructions from a judge to a jury on how to make decisions about a case. They must be simple, clear, and legal. Judges can use standardized instructions or write their own, but must consult with attorneys. Instructions must also be accessible to jurors with disabilities.
Jury briefs are directions from a judge to a jury that are given when a case is concluded and the jury prepares to adjourn to deliberate the matter. The instructions provide jurors with a framework they must consider when making decisions about the facts of the case. These instructions are written by the judge and read to the jury. Jurors may also request a copy to be used in court during their deliberations.
Juries are charged with ascertaining the facts of a case. In jury briefs, the judge tells jurors how to arrive at a verdict as they deliberate. The instructions can be very simple or they can involve levels of complexity that must be sifted through as jurors consider the information presented in court. Especially if the defendant faces multiple charges, jury instructions can get very elaborate.
When giving instructions to the jury, several standards must be met. The judge must use simple, clear language to create an understandable statement. If legal jargon is needed, it must be defined in the jury briefs so jurors know what it means. Also, the instructions must be legal. A judge cannot give indications that violate the law. If the instructions do not meet legal standards, there is a possibility that the verdict could be appealed on the grounds that the instructions were confusing or illegal in nature.
Many regional courts have standardized jury instructions for their judges’ use. Judges can fill in the blanks with names and crimes. Judges aren’t required to use them, however. They can choose to write their own instructions. In both cases, judges usually consult with attorneys on both sides of a case to confirm that the instructions are clear and accurate. This provides an opportunity for attorneys to request rewording or to dispute an aspect of the instructions before the jury hears them.
Jurors can have very different levels of education. Some may not have difficulty understanding the instructions, while others may need them explained or clarified. For jurors who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have auditory processing disorders, instructions must be provided in an accessible medium with the assistance of captions or sign language translation. Persons requiring accommodations of this nature to serve on a jury should notify the court so that appropriate action can be taken.
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