Houston Texas Jury Instruction — 3.3.1 Section 1, Per Se Violation Conspiracy To Fix Prices — Includes Alternative Rule of Reason Instruction is a legal directive provided to jurors in Houston, Texas during a trial involving an alleged violation of antitrust laws related to price fixing conspiracies. This instruction aims to guide jurors in understanding the legal framework and standard for determining whether the defendant(s) engaged in an illegal conspiracy to fix prices, and how they should evaluate the evidence presented during trial. The instruction informs the jury that a per se violation occurs when an agreement or understanding among competitors to fix prices is proven. It emphasizes that such agreements are conclusively presumed to be illegal, restricting competition, and violating antitrust laws. Jurors are instructed to find the defendant(s) liable if they conclude that the alleged agreement or understanding fixing prices exists beyond a reasonable doubt. However, the instruction also includes an alternative Rule of Reason Instruction. The Rule of Reason is an alternative legal approach that may be applied by the jury if they find that the alleged conduct's anticompetitive effects are not clear-cut under the per se analysis. In such cases, the jury must evaluate the overall impact on competition and determine whether the alleged conspiracy unreasonably restrained trade. This instruction serves to educate jurors on the legal principles and criteria they should consider when evaluating evidence and reaching a verdict. It emphasizes the importance of distinguishing between per se violations and cases that require a Rule of Reason analysis. Overall, the Houston Texas Jury Instruction — 3.3.1 Section 1, Per Se Violation Conspiracy To Fix Prices — Includes Alternative Rule of Reason Instruction, provides jurors with essential guidance on the standards to be applied when considering allegations of price-fixing conspiracies. It helps ensure that jurors fully understand their role in determining a fair and just verdict based on the evidence presented during the trial. Different variations of this instruction may exist, tailored to specific cases or jurisdictions within Houston, Texas. However, the core components outlined above should be present in any instruction related to per se violation conspiracy to fix prices, incorporating the alternative Rule of Reason analysis.