Maryland Jury Instruction - Modified Allen Charge

• Category: Federal - Jury Instructions - Trial Instructions
• State: Multi-State
• Control #: US-11CRT-6
• Format: Word; Rich Text

Description

This form is a model for an Allen Charge, a statement made to the jury by the Judge when the jury is reporting problems reaching an agreement on a verdict. The text is annotated with cases approving the use of the Allen Charge. Maryland Jury Instruction — Modified Allen Charge, also known as the Modified Allen Charge in Maryland, is a legal instruction given by a judge to a jury in a criminal trial when they are unable to reach a unanimous decision. This instruction aims to encourage jurors to continue deliberations and strive for a unanimous verdict. The Modified Allen Charge is derived from the original Allen Charge, named after the 1896 U.S. Supreme Court case Allen v. United States. It was modified to address concerns regarding potential coercion or undue pressure on non-majority jurors. The purpose of this instruction is to ensure that each juror's opinion is given fair consideration while also maintaining the integrity of the deliberation process. In Maryland, there are two types of Modified Allen Charge instructions commonly used: 1. Standard Modified Allen Charge: This version emphasizes the importance of a unanimous verdict, encourages jurors to express their opinions, and requests them to reconsider their positions. It stresses the duty of all jurors to actively participate in the deliberations and reminds them that giving up their individual views too hastily might undermine the justice system. 2. Modified Allen Charge with Caution: In this variant, the judge includes an additional cautionary statement to ensure that no undue pressure is exerted on any juror. It explicitly states that jurors should not surrender their individual convictions solely to reach unanimity. This version addresses the concerns raised by the original Allen Charge and provides further reassurance to jurors who may feel hesitant or intimidated. When delivering the Modified Allen Charge, the judge carefully selects their words to avoid any improper influence on the jury's decision-making process. The instructions aim to strike a delicate balance between urging jurors to reconsider their positions while respecting their individual convictions. Ultimately, the purpose of the Maryland Jury Instruction — Modified Allen Charge is to promote continued deliberation, foster open discussion, and encourage jurors to reach a unanimous verdict based on the evidence presented in the trial. It serves as a gentle reminder to jurors of their duty, responsibility, and the significance of their role in the criminal justice system.

Maryland Jury Instruction — Modified Allen Charge, also known as the Modified Allen Charge in Maryland, is a legal instruction given by a judge to a jury in a criminal trial when they are unable to reach a unanimous decision. This instruction aims to encourage jurors to continue deliberations and strive for a unanimous verdict. The Modified Allen Charge is derived from the original Allen Charge, named after the 1896 U.S. Supreme Court case Allen v. United States. It was modified to address concerns regarding potential coercion or undue pressure on non-majority jurors. The purpose of this instruction is to ensure that each juror's opinion is given fair consideration while also maintaining the integrity of the deliberation process. In Maryland, there are two types of Modified Allen Charge instructions commonly used: 1. Standard Modified Allen Charge: This version emphasizes the importance of a unanimous verdict, encourages jurors to express their opinions, and requests them to reconsider their positions. It stresses the duty of all jurors to actively participate in the deliberations and reminds them that giving up their individual views too hastily might undermine the justice system. 2. Modified Allen Charge with Caution: In this variant, the judge includes an additional cautionary statement to ensure that no undue pressure is exerted on any juror. It explicitly states that jurors should not surrender their individual convictions solely to reach unanimity. This version addresses the concerns raised by the original Allen Charge and provides further reassurance to jurors who may feel hesitant or intimidated. When delivering the Modified Allen Charge, the judge carefully selects their words to avoid any improper influence on the jury's decision-making process. The instructions aim to strike a delicate balance between urging jurors to reconsider their positions while respecting their individual convictions. Ultimately, the purpose of the Maryland Jury Instruction — Modified Allen Charge is to promote continued deliberation, foster open discussion, and encourage jurors to reach a unanimous verdict based on the evidence presented in the trial. It serves as a gentle reminder to jurors of their duty, responsibility, and the significance of their role in the criminal justice system.