Criminal Jury Instructions Home

1.1-1 Introducing the Case to the Panel

Revised to December 1, 2007

We are here starting the trial of a criminal case. In this case the state accuses the defendant of committing <insert number of offenses charged> crimes; these accusations are contained in <insert number of counts> counts in the information, which I will now read to you.

<Read information.>

The information that I have read to you is not evidence; the fact that the state accuses the defendant of committing these crimes does not mean to any extent that the defendant is guilty or that the defendant has done anything wrong. The information is simply the formal means of bringing the defendant to court for trial.

The state has the burden to prove beyond a reasonable doubt every element of each crime charged.

The defendant has pleaded not guilty and elected to be tried before a jury.

The state is represented by <insert name of prosecutor>, who will introduce (himself/herself) and (his/her) associates in a few moments.

The defendant is represented by <insert name of defense counsel>, who will also introduce (himself/herself) and (his/her) associates in a few moments.