Alaska Jury Instruction — 7.2 Duty To Deliberate When Both Plaintiff and Defendant Claim Damages or When Damages Are Not an Issue: In the state of Alaska, the duty to deliberate is a fundamental aspect of the jury's responsibility in civil cases where both the plaintiff (person who filed the lawsuit) and the defendant (person being sued) claim damages or when damages are not an issue. This instruction provides guidance on the jury's duty to carefully consider the evidence presented and reach a fair and just verdict. When both the plaintiff and defendant claim damages in a civil case, it is the responsibility of the jury to analyze the evidence and determine the validity and extent of each party's claims. The jury should consider the credibility of the witnesses, examine any supporting documents or evidence, and evaluate the arguments presented by both sides. They should weigh the strength of the evidence presented with the burden of proof required for each claimant. If damages are not an issue in a case, the jury's duty to deliberate remains crucial. Even when there is no dispute regarding the amount of damages, the jury must still deliberate on liability and determine if the defendant is responsible for the harm caused to the plaintiff. In such cases, the jury's focus shifts primarily to determining fault and liability rather than calculating the amount of damages. Jury instructions provided in Alaska for this particular duty to deliberate may include various separate instructions based on the specific circumstances of the case. Some potential variations or additional instructions could be: 1. Duty to Deliberate Damages when Both Parties Claim Damages: This instruction will guide the jury in assessing the evidence and determining the validity and extent of the damages claimed by both the plaintiff and the defendant. 2. Duty to Deliberate Liability When Damages Are Not an Issue: This instruction will direct the jury to focus solely on establishing fault and liability, disregarding the calculation of damages, if there is no dispute regarding the amount of damages in the case. 3. Duty to Deliberate Comparative Fault: In cases where both the plaintiff and defendant may share some responsibility for the harm caused, this instruction will guide the jury in assigning percentages of fault to each party involved. 4. Duty to Deliberate Contributory Negligence: In certain situations, when the defendant argues that the plaintiff's negligence contributed to their own damages, this instruction will instruct the jury on considering the plaintiff's degree of fault and its impact on the overall judgment. These different types of instructions ensure that the jury comprehends their specific obligations and considerations to reach a fair and just verdict. By providing clear instructions, the Alaska court system aims to ensure that the jury performs their duty diligently and impartially in cases where both parties claim damages or when damages are not an issue.