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Civil procedure

jury charge

The jury charge is the questions, instructions, and definitions given to the jury by the court (judge) in a lawsuit to resolve the dispute between the parties. The jury’s answers to the questions in the jury charge determines the outcome of the lawsuit (the jury verdict), and is ultimately reflected in the court’s judgment (the statement of the relief granted in the lawsuit—generally who owes who money).

In California, the jury charge, also known as jury instructions, is a crucial component of a trial. These instructions are provided by the judge to the jury and encompass the questions they must answer, the legal principles they must follow, and the definitions they must understand to deliberate properly on the case. The instructions are based on California state statutes, case law, and the California Jury Instructions (CALJIC for criminal cases and CACI for civil cases). The jury's answers to the questions posed in the jury charge lead to the jury verdict, which determines the outcome of the lawsuit. This verdict is then reflected in the court's judgment, which details the relief granted, such as the amount of damages awarded. It is the judge's responsibility to ensure that the jury charge is accurate, clear, and impartial, guiding the jury to a fair and legally sound decision.

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Civil procedure

jury charge

Individual & Family Legal Plan

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California State Code

California State Code

Civil procedure

jury charge

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