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 Minnesota, the jury charge, also known as jury instructions, is a crucial component of a trial. It consists of the questions, instructions, and legal definitions that the judge provides to the jury. These instructions guide the jury on the legal standards they must apply when deliberating and making decisions on the case. The jury uses these instructions to understand the specific issues they must decide, the relevant law, and how to apply the law to the facts of the case. The jury's answers to the questions posed in the jury charge lead to the jury verdict, which determines the outcome of the lawsuit. The verdict is then reflected in the court's judgment, which details the relief granted, such as the award of damages or other remedies. Minnesota courts often use pattern jury instructions, which are standardized instructions that have been developed to ensure consistency and accuracy in the presentation of legal principles to juries. However, judges may modify these instructions or create new ones to fit the specific circumstances of a case. The parties in the lawsuit typically have the opportunity to propose instructions and object to the instructions proposed by the other side or by the court before the final charge is given to the jury.