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Garden City Alarm Co., 147 A.D.2d 124, 131 (2d Dept 1989); see also New York Pattern Jury Instruction A (?Gross negligence means a failure to use even slight care, or conduct that is so careless as to show complete disregard for the rights and safety of others?).

If you are not convinced beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant is guilty of a charged crime, you must find the defendant not guilty of that crime. If you are convinced beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant is guilty of a charged crime, you must find the defendant guilty of that crime. CPL 300.10(2).

A hung jury is when the members of a jury are unable to reach a unanimous decision on whether or not the accused party is guilty beyond reasonable doubt. This occurs when there are opposing opinions among the jurors regarding the outcome of the case.

Reasonable doubt is legal terminology referring to insufficient evidence that prevents a judge or jury from convicting a defendant of a crime. It is the traditional standard of proof that must be exceeded to secure a guilty verdict in a criminal case in a court of law.

Most civil trials in New York use only six jurors instead of the typical 12 in a criminal case. In order to make a decision in a criminal case, jurors usually need to believe the case ?beyond a reasonable doubt,? and all 12 of them need to agree. In a civil case, the standard is much lower.

If there is a reasonable doubt in your minds as to the guilt of the accused . . . then you must declare him not guilty. If, however, there is no reasonable doubt, then he must be found guilty. Whichever way you decide, the verdict must be unanimous.