Georgia Jury Instruction — Modified Allen Charge refers to a specific legal instruction given by a judge to a jury when they are deadlocked or unable to reach a unanimous decision during deliberations. This instruction is used in criminal and civil trials in Georgia to encourage jurors to continue deliberating and make a final decision. The purpose of the Modified Allen Charge is to avoid mistrials and ensure the jury exhausts all efforts to reach a verdict. The Modified Allen Charge is a modified version of the original Allen Charge, which was initially introduced in the Supreme Court case Allen v. United States. This charge is also known as the "dynamite charge" or "Allen charge." In Georgia, there are several variations of the Modified Allen Charge, each with its own specific language and format. Some of these variations include: 1. Georgia Jury Instruction — Modified AlleChargesge A: This instruction emphasizes the importance of reaching a unanimous decision and encourages jurors to reevaluate their positions and engage in open and honest discussions to resolve any conflicts. 2. Georgia Jury Instruction — Modified Allen Charge B: This version of the Modified Allen Charge advises jurors that it is acceptable for individuals to change their initial positions based on the evidence and arguments presented during the trial. It encourages jurors to listen to each other and consider alternative viewpoints. 3. Georgia Jury Instruction — Modified Allen Charge C: This charge reminds jurors that the goal is to reach a unanimous verdict if possible but also acknowledges that in rare cases, a hung jury may be unavoidable. It encourages jurors to carefully consider the evidence and deliberate in good faith. Overall, the purpose of the Georgia Jury Instruction — Modified Allen Charge is to motivate jurors to reconsider their positions and engage in meaningful deliberation to reach a verdict. It is intended to foster teamwork and encourage jurors to respect each other's opinions while recognizing the importance of a unanimous decision. The various versions of the Modified Allen Charge provide judges with flexibility in tailoring the instruction to meet the specific circumstances of each case.