Communicating with Juries: How to Draft More Understandable Jury Instructions

37 Pages Posted: 18 Nov 2009

See all articles by Peter Tiersma

Peter Tiersma

Loyola Marymount University, Loyola Law School (Deceased)

Date Written: November 16, 2009

Abstract

This manual is intended to provide practical advice to judges and lawyers who need to draft jury instructions. It begins with some general principles of clear communication. Next, it provides guidelines for the more specific task of drafting jury instructions. The last half of the manual contains some actual examples, both civil and criminal, of some traditional and plain language instructions, along with commentary on how they can be improved.

Suggested Citation

Tiersma, Peter M., Communicating with Juries: How to Draft More Understandable Jury Instructions (November 16, 2009). Loyola-LA Legal Studies Paper No. 2009-44, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1507298

Peter M. Tiersma (Contact Author)

Loyola Marymount University, Loyola Law School (Deceased)

United States

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