Alabama Jury Instruction — Duty to Follow Instructions In the state of Alabama, the duty to follow instructions is a fundamental principle of the jury system. Alabama jury instructions outline the responsibility and obligation of jurors to carefully consider and follow the instructions provided by the judge during a trial. These instructions serve as guidelines for jurors to reach a fair and just verdict based on the evidence presented. Alabama jury instructions emphasize the importance of jurors remaining impartial and objective throughout the trial process. They are designed to ensure that jurors understand their duty to consider only the evidence presented in court and not any outside information or personal biases. There are various types of Alabama jury instructions related to the duty to follow instructions, some of which include: 1. General Instructions: These instructions provide an overview of the jury's responsibilities, including their duty to consider the evidence, apply the law as instructed, and deliberate collectively to reach a unanimous verdict. 2. Credibility Instructions: These instructions guide jurors in assessing the credibility and reliability of witnesses and evidence presented during the trial. Jurors are instructed to evaluate the credibility of each witness, considering factors such as their demeanor, consistency, and potential bias. 3. Burden of Proof Instructions: The burden of proof instructions outline the standard of proof required for the prosecution or plaintiff to establish their case. Jurors are instructed on the different standards, such as "beyond a reasonable doubt" in criminal cases or "preponderance of the evidence" in civil cases. 4. Presumption of Innocence Instructions: In criminal cases, jurors are provided instructions regarding the presumption of innocence. They are instructed to presume the defendant innocent until proven guilty and not to let any preconceived notions or biases influence their judgment. 5. Reasonable Doubt Instructions: Jury instructions regarding reasonable doubt explain to the jurors the concept that the prosecution must prove guilt to a level that leaves no reasonable doubt in the minds of the jurors. Jurors are instructed to carefully scrutinize the evidence and consider alternate explanations or possibilities before rendering a guilty verdict. 6. Deliberation Instructions: These instructions guide the jurors on how to conduct deliberations. They emphasize the importance of open-mindedness, active participation, and respectful exchanges during the deliberation process. Additionally, jurors are instructed to base their decision solely on the evidence presented in court and not personal experiences or opinions. It is essential for jurors to follow these instructions meticulously as failure to do so may result in a mistrial or an unfair verdict. The Alabama jury instruction — duty to follow instructions plays a crucial role in maintaining the integrity and fairness of the justice system, ensuring that all parties receive a fair trial and judgment based on the facts and the law.