NCJ Number
68247
Date Published
1978
Length
203 pages
Annotation
PATTERN JURY INSTRUCTIONS WHICH PROVIDE A BODY OF BRIEF, UNIFORM INSTRUCTIONS THAT FULLY STATE THE LAW WITHOUT NEEDLESS REPETION ARE PRESENTED; BASIC, SPECIAL, OFFENSE, AND TRIAL INSTRUCTIONS ARE INCLUDED.
Abstract
THE WORK HAS BEEN DEVELOPED BECAUSE IT IS A COMMON FRUSTRATION OF DISTRICT JUDGES THAT THE INSTRUCTIONS TRADITIONALLY GIVEN IN CRIMINAL CASES TEND TO BE REPETITIOUS, COMPLEX, AND CONFUSING TO JURORS. IN THESE PATTERN INSTRUCTIONS THE MOST NOTICEABLE EFFORT AT SIMPLIFICATION WILL BE OBSERVED IN THE INSTRUCTION ON REASONABLE DOUBT; THE SINGLE, DEFINITIVE INSTRUCTION ON WILLFULNESS (SPECIFIC INTENT); AND THE CONSPIRACY INSTRUCTION. THE INSTRUCTIONS HAVE BEEN ARRANGED INTO FOUR GROUPS WHICH INCLUDE BASIC, SPECIAL, OFFENSE, AND TRIAL INSTRUCTIONS. BASIC INSTRUCTIONS COVER THE TOPICS WHICH SHOULD NORMALLY BE INCLUDED IN THE COURT'S INSTRUCTIONS IN EVERY CASE, SUCH AS CONSIDERATIONS OF REASONABLE DOUBT, EVIDENCE, WITNESS CREDIBILITY, IMPEACHMENT, PUNISHMENT, AND DUTY TO DELIBERATE. INSTRUCTIONS MAY BE GERMANE, DEPENDING UPON THE ISSUES RAISED IN THE PARTICULAR CASE. THESE INSTRUCTIONS FOCUS ON AIDING AND ABETTING, ACCOMPLICES, AND THE ELEMENT OF POSSESSION. THE OFFENSE INSTRUCTIONS COVER 50 OF THE MOST FREQUENTLY PROSECUTED FEDERAL OFFENSES. A SEPARATE INSTRUCTION IS PROVIDED FOR EACH OFFENSE, WITH APPLICABLE STATUTES QUOTED AND ESSENTIAL ELEMENTS SPECIFIED. THE TRIAL INSTRUCTIONS ARE A COLLECTION OF PRELIMINARY, EXPLANATORY, OR CAUTIONARY INSTRUCTIONS FREQUENTLY GIVEN DURING THE TRIAL ITSELF. BY IMPLEMENTING THE REFERENCE INDEX PROVIDED HEREIN, A COMPLETE SET OF INSTRUCTIONS CAN BE ASSEMBLED WITHIN MINUTES IN MOST CASES. AN APPENDIX PROVIDES JURY INSTRUCTIONS FOR A HYPOTHETICAL CASE.