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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 Washington State, 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 standards they must apply, and the definitions of relevant legal concepts. The purpose of the jury charge is to guide the jury in their deliberations to reach a verdict. The instructions are based on Washington State law and are tailored to the specifics of the case at hand. The jury's answers to the questions posed in the charge will determine the outcome of the lawsuit, which is the jury verdict. This verdict is then reflected in the court's judgment, which details the relief granted, such as monetary damages or other remedies. It is the responsibility of the attorneys to propose jury instructions, but the judge has the final say on what instructions are given to the jury. The instructions must be clear, legally accurate, and unbiased to ensure a fair trial.

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Civil procedure

jury charge

Individual & Family Legal Plan

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Washington State Code

Washington State Code

Civil procedure

jury charge

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