Legal Definitions - jury direction

Jury direction, also known as jury instruction, is a guideline that a judge gives to a jury about the law of the case. It helps the jury understand the legal principles that apply to the case and how to apply them when making a decision.

• Additional instruction: If the jury has a question about the evidence or a point of law, the judge may give an additional instruction to clarify the issue.
• Mandatory instruction: If the jury determines that a given set of facts exists, the judge may give a mandatory instruction requiring the jury to find for one party and against the other.
• Model jury instruction: A state bar association may provide a form jury charge for typical cases, which courts usually accept as authoritative.

These examples illustrate how jury direction can be used in different situations to help the jury understand the law and make a fair decision.