What are jury instructions?

Jury instructions are a set of rules or guidelines given by the judge to jurors during a trial. Jury instructions explain the standards that the jury is to follow when deciding the outcome of a case. Jury instructions define the legal principles the jury must follow in regard to the evidence presented in the case, as well as any other matters the jury must consider when making its decision. Jury instructions in Pennsylvania and elsewhere have evolved over time, but generally fall into two categories: substantive and procedural. Substantive instructions explain the elements of a particular offense or civil claim in the case and the law regarding those elements. Procedural instructions address the manner in which a jury is to evaluate evidence and how it should arrive at its verdict. Jury instructions are intended to ensure the jury is able to make its decision in a fair and unbiased way by providing clear guidance on the law and evidence for the jurors to consider.

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