Annotate Legal Wisconsin Jury Instructions Forms For Free

A party has a constitutional right to have a statutory claim tried to a jury when: 1) the cause of action created by the statute existed, was known, or recognized at common law at the time of the adoption of the Wisconsin constitution in 1848; and 2) the action was regarded as at law in 1848.

When a party has the burden of proving any claim [or affirmative defense] by a preponderance of the evidence, it means you must be persuaded by the evidence that the claim [or affirmative defense] is more probably true than not true.

If you are satisfied beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant (drove) (operated) a motor vehicle on a highway while under the influence of an intoxicant, you should find the defendant guilty of Count 1. If you are not so satisfied, you must find the defendant not guilty of Count 1.

For example, in criminal cases, the burden of proving the defendant's guilt is on the prosecution, and they must establish that fact beyond a reasonable doubt.

Proof beyond a reasonable doubt is proof that leaves you firmly convinced the defendant is guilty. It is not required that the government prove guilt beyond all possible doubt. A reasonable doubt is a doubt based upon reason and common sense and is not based purely on speculation.

The Civil, Criminal, and Children's Jury Instructions Committees are standing committees of the Wisconsin Judicial Conference. These committees prepare model jury instructions for Wisconsin circuit court judges. Current committee members are listed on the Wisconsin Judicial Conference committee list.