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Simple English definitions for legal terms
single-juror instruction
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A quick definition of single-juror instruction:
A jury instruction is a direction or guideline that a judge gives to the jury about the law of the case. It helps the jury understand what they need to consider when making their decision. Sometimes, the jury may have questions about the evidence or the law, and the judge can give them additional instructions to help them. There are different types of instructions, such as mandatory instructions that require the jury to find for one party, cautionary instructions that tell the jury to disregard certain evidence, and model jury instructions that are approved by a state bar association.A more thorough explanation:
A single-juror instruction is a direction or guideline that a judge gives to a jury concerning the law of the case. It is usually given to ensure that each juror understands the law and applies it correctly to the evidence presented in the trial. If any juror is not reasonably satisfied with the plaintiff's evidence, then the jury cannot render a verdict for the plaintiff.
For example, in a personal injury case, the judge may give a single-juror instruction that states, "If any juror is not reasonably satisfied with the plaintiff's evidence, then the jury cannot render a verdict for the plaintiff." This means that if even one juror is not convinced by the evidence presented by the plaintiff, the jury cannot find in favor of the plaintiff.
Another example of a single-juror instruction is in a criminal case where the judge may instruct the jury that if any juror has a reasonable doubt about the defendant's guilt, then the jury must find the defendant not guilty.
Single-juror instructions are important because they ensure that each juror understands the law and applies it correctly to the evidence presented in the trial. They also help to prevent any one juror from dominating the deliberation process and ensure that each juror's opinion is given equal weight.