What is a jury instruction in civil litigation?

A jury instruction in civil litigation is a statement of law that is provided by the presiding judge to the jury. This statement outlines the legal principles and standards that the jury should apply in making its decision. In New Mexico, these instructions are given to the jury at the conclusion of the trial. Jury instructions are important because they provide the jury with guidance on how to interpret evidence and make their decision. This ensures that the jury bases their decision on a fair and impartial understanding of the law and the facts of the case. Judges often use standardized versions of jury instructions that are provided by the New Mexico Supreme Court. This ensures that everyone is being held to the same standard of the law. Jury instructions also set out the consequences of a guilty verdict or the burden that plaintiffs must meet to prove their case. In civil litigation, the plaintiff must prove his or her case by a preponderance of evidence, which means more than 50% of the evidence must back up the plaintiff’s claims. Jury instructions explain to the jury how they should interpret the evidence and if the plaintiff was able to prove his or her case beyond a reasonable doubt. Ultimately, jury instructions are important to ensure that every trial is conducted according to the law and the evidence. They allow the jury to make a decision that is based on a fair and impartial understanding of the case. In New Mexico, jury instructions are provided by the judge at the conclusion of the trial.

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