Example Jury Selection Instructions

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Introduction and Selection Process Instructions For Jury Panels

Instructions

NJI Model Jury Instructions, 1.1:

[1] Members of the jury panel, the clerk (or registrar) has just read out the charge. (NOA) has pleaded not guilty.

[2] The lawyers estimate that the trial will take (specify) to complete. This is only an estimate. The trial could actually take more or less time than the lawyers estimate.

[3A] We will now choose (12, 13 or 14) of you as jurors, whose duty will be to consider the evidence and in the end decide whether (NOA) is guilty or not guilty. (We will also choose (one/two) alternate juror(s) in case one or more of the original twelve is unable to act when the trial starts

[3B] A jury trial normally begins with twelve jurors. However, in certain cases, the trial may begin with thirteen or fourteen jurors. Given the anticipated length of the trial, I have 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.

All jurors chosen will have the duty to watch and listen to all of the proceedings.

You should be aware, however, that the law allows only twelve 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 decide whether (NOA) is guilty or not guilty.

(Last revised June 2012)
[annotation(s) added]

– NJI

For more details on the exact number of jurors selected, see s. 631(2.2).

Familiarity with Participants

An instruction that explains how to assess whether the potential juror may be disqualified for familiarity with persons in the trial should include: