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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 Illinois, 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 of relevant legal terms. The purpose of the jury charge is to guide the jury in their deliberations and to ensure they understand the law as it applies to the case they are deciding. The jury's answers to the questions form the basis of their verdict, which determines the outcome of the lawsuit. Once the jury reaches a verdict, the judge will enter a judgment based on this decision, which typically includes the relief awarded, such as monetary damages. Illinois courts often use pattern jury instructions that have been pre-approved to ensure accuracy and consistency in the law's application, but judges may also tailor instructions to fit the specific circumstances of a case.

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Civil procedure

jury charge

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Illinois State Code

Illinois State Code

Civil procedure

jury charge

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