Example Preliminary Jury Instructions
- 3.1 Introduction
- (Last revised June 2012)
- [1] Members of the jury, you have been chosen to hear this case.
- [1.1][1] As I told you, a jury trial normally begins with twelve jurors. Given the anticipated length of this trial, I decided that it is in the interest of justice to select thirteen/fourteen jurors in this case. This is to ensure that a complete jury is available to deliberate.
- [2] The oath or affirmation you have taken requires you to listen closely to the evidence that will be presented and to decide this case solely on that evidence and the instructions that I give you.
- [3] I will now describe your duties as jurors and the procedure that we will follow during the trial. I will also explain to you some of the rules of law that apply in this case.
- [4] During and at the end of the trial, I will give you specific and detailed instructions about the rules of law that apply to this case. You must listen carefully to all of these instructions.
- [4.1][2] I remind you that the law allows only twelve jurors to deliberate, and therefore I will have to reduce the jury to twelve before deliberation by drawing numbers at random. The remaining twelve jurors will have the duty to deliberate and decide whether (NOA) is guilty or not guilty.
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