What role do jury instructions serve during a trial?

During a trial, jury instructions play a crucial role in ensuring that jurors are properly informed about the legal principles applicable to the case they are deliberating. Specifically, jury instructions direct the jury on relevant laws and how these laws should be interpreted and applied to the facts of the case at hand. It is essential for jurors to understand the legal standards they must use when evaluating the evidence and making their decisions, including the definitions of crimes, the elements that must be proven, and the burden of proof.

This aspect of jury instructions helps create a framework within which jurors can assess the evidence and draw conclusions consistent with the law. Clear and accurate instructions facilitate the jurors' understanding of their role in the judicial process and contribute to fair and just outcomes in trials.

While guiding jurors on court procedures and outlining potential penalties are important, they do not encompass the primary function of jury instructions, which focus on the application of law. Additionally, providing background information about the defendant does not fall under the scope of jury instructions. The primary objective is always to clarify the law related to the case being considered.