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 Rhode Island, the jury charge, also known as jury instructions, is a crucial component of a trial. The judge provides the jury with a set of questions, instructions, and legal definitions that guide them in deliberating on the facts of the case. These instructions help the jury understand the legal standards that they must apply to the evidence presented during the trial. The jury charge is tailored to the specific issues in the case and the applicable state laws. After receiving the charge, the jury deliberates and answers the questions posed, which leads to their verdict. The verdict reflects the jury's findings and decisions on the legal disputes presented in the lawsuit. The court then enters a judgment based on the jury's verdict, which may include the award of damages or other relief as determined by the jury's answers to the questions in the jury charge.