What is a jury instruction in civil litigation?

A jury instruction is a statement given by a judge to a jury about the law that applies to the facts of a case that is being tried in a court of law. In civil litigation, a jury instruction informs a jury about the elements required for one party to prevail. The instructions will outline the elements of the claim and the elements that must be proven in order to win the case. For example, in a personal injury case in Florida, the jury instruction will outline the elements of what must be proven for the plaintiff to prevail. This includes establishing that the defendant was negligent in some way that caused the plaintiff’s damages. The jury instruction will also explain the standard of proof, which is usually a preponderance of the evidence. The jury instructions are intended to provide guidance to the jury so that they can make a decision of fact that is consistent with the law. The court will also provide definitions of any legal terms or phrases that are contained in the instruction. This is important so that the jury can understand all of the elements that must be proven in the case and the standard of proof that must be met.

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What is a jury instruction in civil litigation?

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