Jury Instructions

Contact Personal Injury Lawyers You Can Trust

How Jury Instructions is Used in Personal Injury Law?

In both civil and criminal personal injury trials, jury instructions are used to ensure that the jury follows the law before deliberating for a verdict. Jury instructions can include summary of the issues in the case, direction on how to approach deliberations on said issues based on the law and evidence presented, clarifying definitions of terms within the instructions, and outlines of the jury members’ responsibilities.

Famous Cases Jury Instructions Was Used

Depp v. Heard

In the famous defamation lawsuit between Johnny Depp and Amber Heard, Johnny Depp sued Amber Heard for defamatory statements and publication. Heard countersued Depp for defamation. Because this trial was highly publicized, it was important that the jury be focused on the issues and evidence of the case. The jury instructions in the case specifically include the line, “Our system of law does not permit jurors to be governed by sympathy, prejudice, or public opinion.” Jurors were instructed during the trial not to access social media or the internet throughout the trial, and they were not allowed to discuss the case with anyone. These instructions were designed to ensure that both parties received a fair trial, and jurors weren’t persuaded by the court of public opinion.

When are Jury Instructions Used in the Legal Process?

Jury instructions are used only when there is a jury trial, and they appear at the end of the legal process, before the jury deliberates and reaches a verdict.

Get In Touch With Us

free case consultation

800-800-4600

Are Jury Instructions used in Kentucky Personal Injury Law?

Yes! Jury instructions are used in Kentucky personal injury jury trials to ensure that both the plaintiff and defendant receive fair and lawful deliberation.

Are Jury Instructions used in Tennessee Personal Injury Law?

Yes! Jury instructions are used in Tennessee personal injury jury trials to help guide the jury to deliberate in a fair and lawful manner.

How Does Hughes & Coleman Injury Lawyers Use Jury Instructions?

In the event a personal injury case goes to trial, the experienced personal injury attorneys at Hughes & Coleman will pay special attention the instructions the jury is given before deliberation. For cases which have special circumstances, our attorneys will propose instructions to the judge to ensure our clients receive the time and consideration they deserve from the jury.

Lee Coleman

ATTORNEY, MANAGING PARTNER, & CO-FOUNDER

Mr. Coleman is now the Managing Partner and majority owner of Hughes and Coleman Injury Lawyers, a firm he co-founded in 1985 with J. Marshall Hughes. The firm has grown for over 40 years, and we currently have over 30 attorneys and multiple offices across Kentucky and Tennessee, as well as an affiliate firm in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Mr. Coleman’s efforts and accomplishments have been widely recognized, including being named as a Kentucky Super Lawyer in Personal Injury since 2012, and being awarded an AV Rating, the highest rating given, by the nation’s preeminent Attorney Rating service, Martindale- Hubbell®.

Free Case Consultation

CALL now 800-800-4600

Frequently Asked Questions About Jury Instructions

What are examples of instructions?

While every jurisdiction may have a different set of criteria to add to jury instructions, USCourts.gov has a thorough example here.

What are the components of jury instructions?

Jury instructions can include:

An introduction that explains why the jury is here and states, in simple terms, the issues of the case.
Jurors’ Duties that describe how the jury must uphold the law, deliberate fairly, how the judge’s definition of the law supersedes the definitions of law they were told by attorneys, and how to apply the facts of the case to the verdict.
Definitions of terms used throughout the trial and within the instructions.
Instructions on how to consider the evidence delivered in the trial.
Instructions on how to determine the credibility of witnesses without using bias.
Thorough itemization of issues brought to trial.

Can jury instructions be used in appeals?

Yes. Errors in jury instructions can be used to appeal cases; however, they are not as common as they used to be. Jurisdictions have specific models and standards for jury instructions, and since this process was streamlined in civil and criminal courts, it has become more difficult to appeal based solely on jury instructions. However, if an attorney wishes to object to jury instructions, they must properly preserve that objection on the record.