Title: In Re: Standard Jury Instructions in Civil Cases – Report No. 09-02 (Greater Weight of the Evidence, Negligence, Believability of Witnesses and Closing Instructions)
Citation: N/A
Docket Number: SC09-296
State: Florida
Issuer: Florida Supreme Court
Date: March 4, 2010

Supreme Court of Florida 
 
 
____________ 
 
No. SC09-284 
____________ 
 
 
IN RE:  STANDARD JURY INSTRUCTIONS IN CIVIL CASES – REPORT  
NO. 09-01 (REORGANIZATION OF THE CIVIL JURY INSTRUCTIONS). 
 
____________ 
 
No. SC09-296 
____________ 
 
IN RE: STANDARD JURY INSTRUCTIONS IN CIVIL CASES – REPORT 
NO. 09-02 (GREATER WEIGHT OF THE EVIDENCE, NEGLIGENCE, 
BELIEVABILITY OF WITNESSES AND CLOSING INSTRUCTIONS). 
 
____________ 
 
No. SC09-299 
____________ 
 
IN RE: STANDARD JURY INSTRUCTIONS IN CIVIL CASES – REPORT 
NO. 09-03 (JURY DEADLOCKED). 
 
____________ 
 
No. SC09-300 
____________ 
 
IN RE: STANDARD JURY INSTRUCTIONS IN CIVIL CASES – REPORT 
NO. 09-04 (BURDEN OF PROOF ON DEFENSE ISSUES). 
 
 
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____________ 
 
No. SC09-301 
____________ 
 
IN RE: STANDARD JURY INSTRUCTIONS IN CIVIL CASES – REPORT 
NO. 09-05 (MEDICAL MALPRACTICE INSURER'S BAD FAITH 
FAILURE TO SETTLE). 
 
____________ 
 
No. SC09-302 
____________ 
 
IN RE: STANDARD JURY INSTRUCTIONS IN CIVIL CASES – REPORT 
NO. 09-06 (PROBABLE CAUSE – MALICIOUS PROSECUTION AND 
FALSE IMPRISONMENT). 
 
____________ 
 
No. SC09-303 
____________ 
 
IN RE: STANDARD JURY INSTRUCTIONS IN CIVIL CASES – REPORT 
NO. 09-07 (INTENTIONAL TORT EXCEPTION TO EXCLUSIVE 
REMEDY OF WORKERS’ COMPENSATION). 
 
____________ 
 
No. SC09-304 
____________ 
 
IN RE: STANDARD JURY INSTRUCTIONS IN CIVIL CASES – REPORT 
NO. 09-08 (PROFESSIONAL NEGLIGENCE). 
 
____________ 
 
No. SC09-306 
____________ 
 
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IN RE: STANDARD JURY INSTRUCTIONS IN CIVIL CASES – REPORT 
NO. 09-09 (PUNITIVE DAMAGES). 
 
[March 4, 2010] 
CORRECTED OPINION 
 
PER CURIAM. 
 
The Supreme Court Committee on Standard Jury Instructions in Civil Cases 
(Committee) has submitted proposed changes to the standard civil jury instructions 
and asks that the Court authorize the instructions for publication and use.1  We 
have jurisdiction.  See art. V, § 2(a), Fla. Const. 
BACKGROUND 
 
In 2006, the Committee embarked on the most comprehensive review and 
evaluation of Florida’s standard civil jury instructions since the first publication in 
1967.  Previously, the Committee has maintained the original numbering system 
and either assigned the next available number or added new instructions to a 
―Miscellaneous‖ section when seeking authorization for additional instructions by 
the Court.  In addition, because the book has only been available in paper format in 
the past, the Committee had attempted to minimize the number of pages to be 
republished by using cross-references and directing users to insert other 
instructions in various locations.   
                                          
 
 
1.  On May 28, 2009, we consolidated these cases for purposes of review 
and opinion. 
 
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As a result of the manner in which revisions of the standard civil jury 
instructions have been perfected over the years, use of the current book has 
become rather difficult.  Following extensive review and revision, the Committee 
submitted its report in case number SC09-284, proposing the reorganization of the 
standard civil jury instructions and amendments limited to plain English 
modifications to make the instructions easier to understand.  The Committee also 
submitted a number of reports that extended beyond reorganizing and rewording 
the civil instructions, seeking amendment of substantive aspects of some standard 
civil instructions under the reorganization format.2  The Committee presented the 
book reorganization to the bench and bar in a notice published in The Florida Bar 
News on April 15, 2008, inviting comment and identifying the web address on The 
Florida Bar’s website for access to the entire reformatted book.  Proposed 
amendments to specific instructions were published separately.   As discussed 
below, we authorize the Committee’s proposals with the exception of the proposed 
modification to the standard civil instruction defining ―greater weight of the 
evidence.‖ 
DISCUSSION 
1.  Reorganization and Updating Wording 
                                          
 
 
2.  Those cases include case numbers SC09-296, SC09-299, SC09-300, 
SC09-301, SC09-302, SC09-303, SC09-304, and SC09-306. 
 
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Reorganization of the standard civil jury instructions is based upon the 
delineation of separate sections, which include oaths, preliminary instructions, 
evidence instructions, substantive instructions, damages, general substantive 
instructions, closing instructions, and supplemental matters.  Each of the 
substantive areas—i.e., General Negligence; Professional Negligence; Products 
Liability;3 Insurer’s Bad Faith; Defamation; Malicious Prosecution; False 
Imprisonment; Tortious Interference with Business Relationships; 
Misrepresentation; Outrageous Conduct Causing Severe Emotional Distress; Civil 
Theft; Contribution Among Tortfeasors; Claim for Personal Injury Protection 
Insurance (PIP) Benefits (Medical Benefits Only); Intentional Tort as an Exception 
to Exclusive Remedy of Workers’ Compensation; and Unlawful Retaliation4—are 
organized into separate sections and include pertinent standard instructions which 
are reproduced within each substantive section or, where necessary, tailored to the 
specific substantive area. 
The basic ―template‖ used in the reorganization of the substantive law 
instructions includes an introduction instruction, an instruction with a simple 
                                          
 
 
3.  On July 16, 2009, the Committee filed a report proposing both new and 
revised civil instructions limited to product liability cases.  In re Standard Jury 
Instructions in Civil Cases – Report No. 09-10 (Products Liability), Case No. 
SC09-1264.  We will address those proposals in a separate opinion. 
  
 
4.  Proposed substantive instructions under this section have not yet been 
filed by the Committee. 
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summary of the case, instructions with the rules, and instructions on the issues with 
the applicable burden of proof.  The substantive sections generally include 
instructions covering the following areas: Introduction; Summary of Claims; 
Greater Weight of the Evidence; Clear and Convincing Evidence; Legal Cause; 
Preemptive Charges; Burden of Proof on Preliminary Issues; Issues on Claim (also 
designated Issues on Main Claim or Issues on Plaintiff’s Claim); Burden of Proof 
(also designated Burden of Proof on Main Claim or Burden of Proof on Claim); 
Defense Issues; and Burden of Proof on Defense Issues. 
 
The amended standard civil instructions also include a number of plain 
language modifications which attempt to simplify the instructions to increase juror 
understanding, by changing nonessential ―legalese‖ to its plain English equivalent.  
For example, the following substitutions are included in the amended instructions: 
―before/after‖ for ―prior/subsequent‖; ―like‖ for ―same‖; ―the‖ for ―such‖; 
―amount‖ for ―degree‖; ―incident in this case‖ for ―incident complained of‖; 
―decide‖ for ―determine‖; ―was caused by‖ for ―chargeable to‖; and ―because‖ for 
―on account of.‖ 
 
Under the amended instructions, in the exercise of its discretion, the trial 
court may choose to instruct the jury at the beginning of the case as to substantive 
matters, prior to the introduction of evidence.  To that end, we authorize 
introductory instructions under section 200 and initial instructions for each 
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substantive section.  We reiterate that the decision as to the timing of instructing 
the jury rests solely with the trial judge. 
 
The amended instructions also conform with the Court’s prior amendments 
to various civil rules of court and its authorization for publication and use of a 
number of standard civil jury instructions upon review of recommendations made 
by the Jury Innovation Committee.  See In re Amends. to the Fla. Rules of Civil 
Proc., 967 So. 2d 178 (Fla. 2007).5 
 
Finally, with regard to the reorganization and modification of the standard 
civil jury instructions, we decline to authorize the proposal to amend the definition 
of  ―greater weight of the evidence.‖  Instead, we reauthorize the substance of 
former standard civil jury instruction 3.9, ―Greater Weight of the Evidence,‖ which 
                                          
 
5.  The instructions as authorized reflect the following changes based upon 
the Jury Innovations Report: former instruction 1.8, Note Taking by Jurors, now 
designated instruction 202.3, includes additional notes referring to Florida Rule of 
Judicial Administration 2.430(k) and Florida Rule of Civil Procedure 1.455; 
former instruction 1.13, Questions by Jurors, now designated instruction 202.4, 
includes a note referring to Florida Rule of Civil Procedure 1.452; the note for 
former instruction 2.1 appears as a Note on Use to the introductory instructions 
(401.1, 402.1, etc.) with a reference to Florida Rule of Civil Procedure 1.470(b); 
concluding instructions 601.5 and 700 provide for instructing either before or after 
final argument and the note for former instruction 7.1 appears as a Note on Use to 
instruction 700; former instruction 7.2, Use of Notes During Deliberations, is 
designated instruction 700 and includes a reference to Florida Rule of Judicial 
Administration 2.430(k) in a Note on Use to that instruction; former instruction 
7.3(a), Answers to Jurors’ Inquiries During Deliberations, is designated instruction 
801.1; and former instruction 7.3(b), Read-Back of Testimony, is designated 
instruction 801.2. 
 
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is now designated as, or included in, instructions 401.3, 402.3, 404.3, 405.3, 406.3, 
407.3, 408.3, 409.3, 410.3, 412.5, 413.3, 503.1b(1), b(2), b(3), b(4), and c(1), and 
503.2b(1), (b)(2), (b)(3), and (b)(4).6 
2.  Substantive Amendments 
 
The Committee also proposed substantive changes to a number of standard 
civil jury instructions, including the following: 401.3, Greater Weight of the 
Evidence; 401.4, Negligence; 401.23, Burden of Proof on Defense Issues; 402.4c; 
Medical Negligence, Foreign Bodies; 402.4d, Medical Negligence, Failure to make 
or maintain records; 402.9, Preliminary Issues—Vicarious Liability; 406.4, 
Probable Cause; 407.8, Defense Issues; 601.2, Believability of Witnesses; 700, 
Closing Instruction; and 801.3, Closing Instructions, Jury Deadlocked.  The 
Committee’s proposals also include the following new instructions: 402.11d, 
Issues on Main Claim—Negligence of health care facility to assure comprehensive 
risk management and competence of medical staff; 402.12, Issues on Claim of 
Attorney Malpractice Arising Out of Civil Litigation; 404.5, Medical Malpractice 
Insurer’s Bad Faith Failure to Settle; 414.5, Intentional Tort Exception to 
Exclusive Remedy of Workers’ Compensation; and 503.1b(4), Punitive 
                                          
 
 
6.  The model instructions and verdict forms authorized in this 
reorganization of the standard civil jury instructions reflect this change as well.  
We also have made some nonsubstantive modifications, which include changing 
all references from 411.4 to 414.4 under Notes on Use for 414.4; changing 401.19 
to 401.22 under Notes on Use for 401.13, note 1; and changing the instruction 
number to 801.4 in Note on Use for 801.5.  
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Damages—Bifurcated Procedure—Vicarious liability for acts of employee where 
employee is not a party or is not being sued for punitive damages.  Because these 
instructions as set forth in the appendix to this opinion are fully engrossed, we 
briefly describe the amendments to the instructions under the new numbering 
system that we authorize for publication and use.  
In Re: Standard Jury Instructions In Civil Cases – Report No. 09-02 (Greater 
Weight of the Evidence, Negligence, Believability of Witnesses and Closing 
Instructions), No. SC09-296 
 
As explained above, we reject the Committee’s proposal to amend the 
Greater Weight of the Evidence instruction.  Rather, we authorize for publication 
and use the substance of former instruction 3.9 as instruction 401.3.  The 
remaining instructions in this case are authorized for publication and use as 
proposed.  Amendments to former instruction 4.1, the negligence instruction, 
numbered 401.4, are stylistic; the substantive change is in the Notes on Use for 
401.4, which expands the commentary on whether there is a right to assume others 
will exercise reasonable care, and how that is determined, and adds notes 
recommending that no instruction be given concerning ―sudden emergency,‖ 
―traffic,‖ or ―railroads.‖  Instruction 601.2, Believability of Witnesses, formerly 
instruction 2.2, is amended to add the phrase ―Let me speak briefly about 
witnesses‖ at the beginning of the instruction and substitutes the word ―evaluating‖ 
for ―determining.‖  Section 700 combines former instruction numbers 7.1, 
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Prejudice and Sympathy/Judge Not Involved, and instruction 7.2, Use of Notes 
During Deliberations; Election of Foreman; Verdict Forms, and combines them 
into one instruction. 
In Re: Standard Jury Instructions In Civil Cases – Report No. 09-03 (Jury 
Deadlocked), No. SC09-299 
 
Instruction 801.3, in addition to substituting plain English for the language 
in former instruction 7.3(c), adds new language which permits the jurors to make a 
specific request that the court reporter read back relevant portions of the trial 
testimony.  The trial court, however, retains broad discretion whether to grant or 
deny any request to read back testimony. 
In Re: Standard Jury Instructions In Civil Cases – Report No. 09-04 (Burden 
of Proof on Defense Issues), No. SC09-300 
 
 
Instruction 401.23, Burden of Proof on Defense Issues, formerly instruction 
3.7, adds three new paragraphs to the instruction for use where the defense asserts 
the following defenses: comparative negligence; apportionment of a nonparty; or 
both.  See Fabre v. Marin, 623 So. 2d 1182 (Fla. 1993). 
In Re: Standard Jury Instructions In Civil Cases – Report No. 09-05 (Medical 
Malpractice Insurer’s Bad Faith Failure to Settle), No. SC09-301 
 
 
Instruction 404.5 is new, applicable in cases alleging a medical malpractice 
insurer’s bad faith failure to settle a claim within policy limits.   
In Re: Standard Jury Instructions In Civil Cases – Report No. 09-06 
(Probable Cause – Malicious Prosecution and False Imprisonment), No. SC09-
302 
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Instruction 406.4, Probable Cause, formerly instruction MI 5.1b, defines 
probable cause in a proceeding for malicious prosecution, while instruction 407.8, 
Defense Issues, formerly MI 6.1g, defines probable cause in the context of a 
merchant’s defense to the charge of false imprisonment.  The revisions are 
intended to harmonize the definitions of probable cause as used in these two 
instructions, and do not substantively alter the standard for probable cause.  
In Re: Standard Jury Instructions In Civil Cases – Report No. 09-07 
(Intentional Tort Exception to Exclusive Remedy of Workers’ Compensation), 
No. SC09-303 
 
 
Instruction 414.5 is new, and addresses the ―intentional tort exception‖ in 
workers’ compensation cases.  See § 440.11(1)(b), Fla. Stat. (2009). 
In Re: Standard Jury Instructions In Civil Cases – Report No. 09-08  
(Professional Negligence), No. SC09-304 
 
 
Instruction 402.4c substitutes plain English for the language in former 
instruction 4.2 pertaining to a claim for medical negligence, based upon the 
presence of a foreign object in a patient’s body.  A new instruction, 402.4d, 
focuses on the claim of negligence for failure to make or maintain medical records, 
consistent with this Court’s decision in Public Health Trust of Dade County v. 
Valcin, 507 So. 2d 596 (Fla. 1987).  Instruction 402.9, formerly instruction 3.3b, 
addresses vicarious liability as it relates to employees, independent contractors, 
and agents (actual and apparent) of the defendant.  The instruction as authorized 
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substantially reorganizes former instruction 3.3b for clarity and understandability.  
In addition, instruction 402.9 includes new language pertaining to specific 
substantive issues, including nondelegable duties, and the defendant’s duty to 
exercise reasonable care to ensure that his or her employees, independent 
contractors, and agents are competent to perform the required services.  See 
Insigna v. LaBella, 543 So. 2d 209 (Fla. 1989).  Instruction 402.11d is new, and 
provides an instruction for professional negligence based on the negligence of a 
health care facility for failing to ensure comprehensive risk management and the 
competence of its medical staff.  See § 776.110, Fla. Stat. (2009).  Finally, 
instruction 402.12, also new, covers claims of attorney malpractice in civil 
litigation. 
In Re: Standard Jury Instructions In Civil Cases – Report No. 09-09 (Punitive 
Damages), No. SC09-306 
 
 
Instruction 503.1b(4) is a new instruction pertaining to punitive damages, 
intended to cover two scenarios not addressed in the former PD instructions.  
Those scenarios include: (1) where the plaintiff seeks punitive damages from an 
employer under a theory of vicarious liability but the employee whose conduct is 
the basis for the claim is not sued individually, and (2) where the plaintiff seeks 
punitive damages from an employer under a theory of vicarious liability but the 
employee whose conduct is the basis for the claim is not a party to the action at all.  
The structure and language in instruction 503.1b(4) is the same as or similar to 
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language this Court has previously authorized in strict liability instructions, and we 
authorize it as proposed. 
CONCLUSION 
Having considered the Committee’s reports, the comments received in 
response, and the Committee’s replies to those comments, we hereby authorize for 
publication and use the reorganization and modification of the standard civil jury 
instructions, with the exception of the proposed modifications to instructions 
401.3, 402.3, 404.3, 405.3, 406.3, 407.3, 408.3, 409.3, 410.3, 412.5, 413.3, 
503.1b(1), b(2), b(3), b(4), and c(1), and 503.2b(1), b(2), b(3), and b(4), defining 
―greater weight of the evidence.‖  Those numbered instructions retain the 
definition as previously authorized in former instruction 3.9.  In addition, we also 
authorize for publication and use the specific instructions including substantive 
changes, as discussed above.  All of the standard civil jury instructions, revised or 
renumbered or both, appear in the appendix to this opinion, fully engrossed and 
ready for use. 
In authorizing the publication and use of the standard civil jury instructions, 
we express no opinion on their correctness and remind all interested parties that 
this authorization forecloses neither requesting additional or alternative 
instructions nor contesting the legal correctness of the instructions.  We further 
caution all interested parties that any comments associated with the instructions 
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reflect only the opinion of the Committee and are not necessarily indicative of the 
views of this Court as to their correctness or applicability.  The instructions as set 
forth in the appendix, fully engrossed, shall be effective when this opinion 
becomes final. 
Finally, we wish to acknowledge the hard work and thoughtful consideration 
of the Committee in bringing to the Court its thorough recommendations to 
improve the jury system in civil cases in Florida.  As the result of the dedication of 
those who participated in this matter, the citizens of this state will experience a 
more meaningful and satisfying jury experience, while facilitating a more efficient 
and more effective jury system overall. 
 
It is so ordered. 
QUINCE, C.J, and PARIENTE, LEWIS, CANADY, POLSTON, LABARGA, and 
PERRY, JJ., concur. 
 
NOT FINAL UNTIL TIME EXPIRES TO FILE REHEARING MOTION, AND 
IF FILED, DETERMINED. 
 
 
Nine Cases Consolidated: 
 
Original Proceeding – Standard Jury Instructions in Civil Cases Committee 
 
Tracy Raffles Gunn, Chair, Supreme Court Committee on Standard Jury 
Instructions in Civil Cases, of Gunn Appellate Practice, Tampa, Florida, Judge 
James M. Barton, II, Vice Chair, Thirteenth Judicial Circuit, Tampa, Florida, Larry 
S. Stewart, Chair, Book Reorganization Subcommittee, Miami, Florida, Judge 
Ralph Artigliere, Chair, Errors and Omissions Subcommittee, Blue Ridge, 
Georgia, Joseph H. Lang, Jr., Chair, Supreme Court Filing Subcommittee, of 
Carlton Fields, P.A., Tampa, Florida, and Judge Lucy C. Brown, Chair, Plain 
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English Subcommittee, Fifteenth Judicial Circuit, West Palm Beach, Florida; John 
F. Harkness, Jr., Executive Director, and Jodi Beth Jennings, Bar Liaison, The 
Florida Bar, Tallahassee, Florida, 
 
 
for Petitioner 
 
 
 
 
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APPENDIX 
 
 
SECTION 101 — OATHS 
 
101.1 
Oath of Jurors Before Voir Dire 
101.2 
Oath of Jurors After Voir Dire 
101.3 
Oath of a Witness 
101.4 
Oath of an Interpreter 
 
 
101.1 
OATH OF JURORS BEFORE VOIR DIRE 
Do you solemnly swear or affirm that you will answer truthfully all questions asked of you as 
prospective jurors [so help you God]? 
 
 
101.2 
OATH OF JUROR AFTER VOIR DIRE 
Do you solemnly swear or affirm that you will well and truly try this case between the 
[plaintiff(s)] [petitioner(s)] and [defendant(s)] [respondent(s)], and a true verdict render according 
to the law and evidence [so help you God]? 
 
 
101.3 
OATH OF A WITNESS 
 
Do you solemnly swear or affirm that the evidence you are about to give will be the truth, the 
whole truth, and nothing but the truth [so help you God]? 
 
 
101.4 
OATH OF AN INTERPRETER 
 
Do you solemnly swear or affirm that you will make a true interpretation to the witness of all 
questions or statements made to [him] [her] in a language which that person understands, and a 
true interpretation of the witness’ statements into the English language [so help you God]? 
 
 
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SECTION 200 — PRELIMINARY INSTRUCTIONS 
 
A.  During Jury Instruction 
 
201.1 
Description of the Case 
201.2 
Introduction of Participants and Their Roles 
201.3 
Explanation of the Voir Dire Process 
 
B.  After Jury Selected and Sworn 
 
202.1 
Introduction 
202.2 
Explanation of the Trial Procedure 
202.3 
Note-Taking by Jurors 
202.4 
Juror Questions 
202.5 
Jury to Be Guided by Official English Translation/Interpretation 
 
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201.1 DESCRIPTION OF THE CASE 
(Prior to Voir Dire) 
 
Welcome. [I] [The clerk] will now administer your oath. 
 
Now that you have been sworn, I’d like to give you an idea about what we are here to do. 
 
This is a civil trial. A civil trial is different from a criminal case, where a defendant is charged 
by the state prosecutor with committing a crime. The subject of a civil trial is a disagreement 
between people or companies [or others, as appropriate], where the claims of one or more of these 
parties have been brought to court to be resolved. It is called ―a trial of a lawsuit.‖ 
 
This is a case about (insert brief description of claim(s) and defense(s) brought to trial in this 
case).* 
 
The incident involved in this case occurred on (date) at (location). (Add any other information 
relevant to voir dire).  
 
The 
principal 
witnesses 
who 
will 
testify 
in 
this 
case 
are 
(list 
witnesses). 
 
NOTE ON USE FOR 201.1 
 
*See, for example, 401.2. 
 
 
201.2 INTRODUCTION OF PARTICIPANTS 
AND THEIR ROLES 
 
Who are the people here and what do they do? 
 
Judge/Court: I am the Judge. You may hear people occasionally refer to me as ―The Court.‖ 
That is the formal name for my role. My job is to maintain order and decide how to apply the rules 
of the law to the trial. I will also explain various rules to you that you will need to know in order to 
do your job as the jury. It is my job to remain neutral on the issues of this lawsuit. 
 
Attorneys: The attorneys to whom I will introduce you have the job of representing their 
clients. That is, they speak for their clients here at the trial. They have taken oaths as attorneys to 
do their best and to follow the rules of their profession. 
 
Plaintiff’s Counsel: The attorney on this side of the courtroom, (introduce by name), represents 
(client name) and is the person who filed the lawsuit here at the courthouse. [His] [Her] job is to 
present [his] [her] client’s side of things to you. [He] [She] and [his] [her] client will be referred to 
most of the time as ―the plaintiff.‖ 
 
Defendant’s Counsel: The attorney on this side of the courtroom, (introduce by name), represents 
(client name), the one who has been sued. [His] [Her] job is to present [his] [her] client’s side of things 
to you. [He] [She] and [his] [her] client will usually be referred to here as ―the defendant.‖ 
 
 
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Court Clerk: This person sitting in front of me, (name), is the court clerk. [He] [She] is here to 
assist me with some of the mechanics of the trial process, including the numbering and collection of 
the exhibits that are introduced in the course of the trial. 
 
Court Reporter: The person sitting at the stenographic machine, (name), is the court reporter. 
[His] [Her] job is to keep an accurate legal record of everything we say and do during this trial. 
 
Bailiff: The person over there, (name), is the bailiff. [His] [Her] job is to maintain order and 
security in the courtroom. The bailiff is also my representative to the jury. Anything you need or 
any problems that come up for you during the course of the trial should be brought to [him] [her]. 
However, the bailiff cannot answer any of your questions about the case. Only I can do that. 
 
Jury: Last, but not least, is the jury, which we will begin to select in a few moments from 
among all of you. The jury’s job will be to decide what the facts are and what the facts mean. 
Jurors should be as neutral as possible at this point and have no fixed opinion about the lawsuit. At 
the end of the trial the jury will give me a written verdict. A verdict is simply the jury’s answer to 
my questions about the case. 
 
 
201.3 EXPLANATION OF THE VOIR DIRE PROCESS 
 
Voir Dire: 
 
The last thing I want to do, before we begin to select the jury, is to explain to you how the 
selection process works. 
 
Questions/Challenges: This is the part of the case where the parties and their lawyers have the 
opportunity to get to know a little bit about you, in order to help them come to their own 
conclusions about your ability to be fair and impartial, so they can decide who they think should be 
the jurors in this case. 
 
How we go about that is as follows: First, I’ll ask some general questions of you. Then, each 
of the lawyers will have more specific questions that they will ask of you. After they have asked all 
of their questions, I will meet with them and they will tell me their choices for jurors. Each side can 
ask that I exclude a person from serving on a jury if they can give me a reason to believe that he or 
she might be unable to be fair and impartial. That is what is called a challenge for cause. The 
lawyers also have a certain number of what are called peremptory challenges, by which they may 
exclude a person from the jury without giving a reason. By this process of elimination, the 
remaining persons are selected as the jury. It may take more than one conference among the 
parties, their attorneys, and me before the final selections are made. 
 
Purpose of Questioning: The questions that you will be asked during this process are not 
intended to embarrass you or unnecessarily pry into your personal affairs, but it is important that 
the parties and their attorneys know enough about you to make this important decision. If a 
question is asked that you would prefer not to answer in front of the whole courtroom, just let me 
know and you can come up here and give your answer just in front of the attorneys and me. If you 
have a question of either the attorneys or me, don’t hesitate to let me know. 
 
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Response to Questioning: There are no right or wrong answers to the questions that will be 
asked of you. The only thing that I ask is that you answer the questions as frankly and as honestly 
and as completely as you can. You [will take] [have taken] an oath to answer all questions truthfully 
and completely and you must do so. Remaining silent when you have information you should 
disclose is a violation of that oath as well. If a juror violates this oath, it not only may result in 
having to try the case all over again but also can result in civil and criminal penalties against a 
juror personally. So, again, it is very important that you be as honest and complete with your 
answers as you possibly can. If you don’t understand the question, please raise your hand and ask 
for an explanation or clarification. 
 
In sum, this is a process to assist the parties and their attorneys to select a fair and impartial 
jury. All of the questions they ask you are for this purpose. If, for any reason, you do not think you 
can be a fair and impartial juror, you must tell us. 
 
NOTE ON USE FOR 201.3 
 
The publication of this recommended instruction is not intended to intrude upon the trial judge’s own style 
and manner of delivery. It may be useful in cataloging the subjects to be covered in an introductory instruction. 
 
 
202.1   INTRODUCTION 
 
Administer oath: 
 
You have now taken an oath to serve as jurors in this trial. Before we begin, I am going to tell 
you about the rules of law that apply to this case and let you know what you can expect as the trial 
proceeds. 
 
It is my intention to give you [all] [most] of the rules of law but it might be that I will not 
know for sure all of the law that will apply in this case until all of the evidence is presented. 
However, I can anticipate most of the law and give it to you at the beginning of the trial so that you 
will better understand what to be looking for while the evidence is presented. If I later decide that 
different or additional law applies to the case, I will tell you. In any event, at the end of the evidence 
I will give you the final instructions on which you must base your verdict. At that time, you will 
have a complete written set of the instructions so you do not have to memorize what I am about to 
tell you. 
 
(Continue with the Substantive law, Damages, and General instructions from the applicable sections of 
this book, followed by the applicable parts of 202.2 through 202.5) 
 
NOTE ON USE FOR 202.1 
 
The committee recommends giving the jury at the beginning of the trial a complete as possible set of 
instructions on the Substantive law, Damages, and General Instructions. 
 
 
 
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202.2 EXPLANATION OF THE TRIAL PROCEDURE 
 
Now that you have heard the law, I want to let you know what you can expect as the trial 
proceeds. 
 
Opening Statements: In a few moments, the attorneys will each have a chance to make what 
are called opening statements. In an opening statement, an attorney is allowed to give you [his] 
[her] views about what the evidence will be in the trial and what you are likely to see and hear in 
the testimony. 
 
Evidentiary Phase: After the attorneys’ opening statements the plaintiffs will bring their 
witnesses and evidence to you. 
 
Evidence: Evidence is the information that the law allows you to see or hear in deciding this 
case. Evidence includes the testimony of the witnesses, documents, and anything else that I instruct 
you to consider. 
 
Witnesses: A witness is a person who takes an oath to tell the truth and then answers 
attorneys’ questions for the jury. The answering of attorneys’ questions by witnesses is called 
―giving testimony.‖ Testimony means statements that are made when someone has sworn an oath to 
tell the truth. 
 
The plaintiff’s lawyer will normally question the witness first. That is called direct examination. 
Then the defense lawyer may ask the same witness additional questions about whatever the witness 
has testified to. That is called cross-examination. Certain documents or other evidence may also be 
shown to you during direct or cross-examination. After the plaintiff’s witnesses have testified, the 
defendant will have the opportunity to put witnesses on the stand and go through the same process. 
Then the plaintiff’s lawyer gets to do cross-examination. The process is designed to be fair to both 
sides. 
 
It is important that you remember that testimony comes from witnesses. The attorneys do not 
give testimony and they are not themselves witnesses. 
 
Objections: Sometimes the attorneys will disagree about the rules for trial procedure when a 
question is asked of a witness. When that happens, one of the lawyers may make what is called an 
―objection.‖ The rules for a trial can be complicated, and there are many reasons for the attorneys 
to object. You should simply wait for me to decide how to proceed. If I say that an objection is 
―sustained,‖ that means you should disregard the question and the witness may not answer the 
question. If I say that the objection is ―overruled,‖ that means the witness may answer the question. 
 
When there is an objection and I make a decision, you must not assume from that decision 
that I have any particular opinion other than that the rules for conducting a trial are being 
correctly followed. If I say a question may not be asked or answered, you must not try to guess what 
the answer would have been. That is against the rules, too. 
 
Side Bar Conferences: Sometimes I will need to speak to the attorneys about legal elements of 
the case that are not appropriate for the jury to hear. The attorneys and I will try to have as few of 
 
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these conferences as possible while you are giving us your valuable time in the courtroom. But, if we 
do have to have such a conference during testimony, we will try to hold the conference at the side of 
my desk so that we do not have to take a break and ask you to leave the courtroom. 
 
Recesses: Breaks in an ongoing trial are usually called ―recesses.‖ During a recess you still 
have your duties as a juror and must follow the rules, even while having coffee, at lunch, or at 
home. 
 
Instructions Before Closing Arguments: After all the evidence has been presented to you, I will 
instruct you on the law that you must follow. It is important that you remember these instructions 
to assist you in evaluating the final attorney presentations, which come next, and, later, during your 
deliberations, to help you correctly sort through the evidence to reach your decision. 
 
Closing Arguments: The attorneys will then have the opportunity to make their final 
presentations to you, which are called closing arguments.  
 
Final Instructions: After you have heard the closing arguments, I will instruct you further in 
the law as well as explain to you the procedures you must follow to decide the case. 
 
Deliberations: After you hear the final jury instructions, you will go to the jury room and 
discuss and decide the questions I have put on your verdict form. [You will have a copy of the jury 
instructions to use during your discussions.] The discussions you have and the decisions you make 
are usually called ―jury deliberations.‖ Your deliberations are absolutely private and neither I nor 
anyone else will be with you in the jury room. 
 
Verdict: When you have finished answering the questions, you will give the verdict form to 
the bailiff, and we will all return to the courtroom where your verdict will be read. When that is 
completed, you will be released from your assignment as a juror. 
 
What are the rules? 
 
Finally, before we begin the trial, I want to give you just a brief explanation of rules you must 
follow as the case proceeds. 
 
Keeping an Open Mind: You must pay close attention to the testimony and other evidence as it 
comes into the trial. However, you must avoid forming any final opinion or telling anyone else your 
views on the case until you begin your deliberations. This rule requires you to keep an open mind 
until you have heard all of the evidence and is designed to prevent you from influencing how your 
fellow jurors think until they have heard all of the evidence and had an opportunity to form their 
own opinions. The time and place for coming to your final opinions and speaking about them with 
your fellow jurors is during deliberations in the jury room, after all of the evidence has been 
presented, closing arguments have been made, and I have instructed you on the law. It is important 
that you hear all of the facts and that you hear the law and how to apply it before you start deciding 
anything. 
 
Consider Only the Evidence: It is the things you hear and see in this courtroom that matter in 
this trial. The law tells us that a juror can consider only the testimony and other evidence that all the 
 
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other jurors have also heard and seen in the presence of the judge and the lawyers. Doing anything 
else is wrong and is against the law. That means that you cannot do any work or investigation of your 
own about the case. You cannot obtain on your own any information about the case or about anyone 
involved in the case, from any source whatsoever, including the internet, and you cannot visit places 
mentioned in the trial. 
 
Do not provide any information about this case to anyone, including friends or family 
members. Do not let anyone, including the closest family members, make comments to you or ask 
questions about the trial. Similarly, it is important that you avoid reading any newspaper accounts 
or watching or listening to television or radio comments that have anything to do with this case or 
its subject. 
 
No Mid-Trial Discussions: When we are in a recess, do not discuss anything about the trial or 
the case with each other or with anyone else. If attorneys approach you, don’t speak with them. The 
law says they are to avoid contact with you. If an attorney will not look at you or speak to you, do not 
be offended or form a conclusion about that behavior. The attorney is not supposed to interact with 
jurors outside of the courtroom and is only following the rules. The attorney is not being impolite. If 
an attorney or anyone else does try to speak with you or says something about the case in your 
presence, please inform the bailiff immediately. 
 
Only the Jury Decides: Only you get to deliberate and answer the verdict questions at the end of 
the trial. I will not intrude into your deliberations at all. I am required to be neutral. You should not 
assume that I prefer one decision over another. You should not try to guess what my opinion is about 
any part of the case. It would be wrong for you to conclude that anything I say or do means that I am 
for one side or another in the trial. Discussing and deciding the facts is your job alone.