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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 New York, the jury charge comprises the set of instructions, questions, and legal definitions that a judge provides to a jury in a civil or criminal trial. These instructions guide the jury on the legal standards they must apply when deliberating and reaching a verdict. The jury charge is crucial as it helps the jury understand the legal principles relevant to the case, the elements of the claims or defenses presented, and the burden of proof required. The jury's answers to the questions posed in the charge, along with their application of the law as instructed by the judge, lead to the jury verdict. This verdict determines the outcome of the lawsuit, such as liability and damages, and is reflected in the court's judgment, which formally states the resolution of the dispute, including any monetary awards or other forms of relief granted. New York courts follow the New York Pattern Jury Instructions (PJI), which provide standardized instructions for various legal issues, although judges may tailor these to the specifics of a given case.

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Civil procedure

jury charge

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Civil procedure

jury charge

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