Maine Jury Instruction — Verdict provides guidance and direction to jurors regarding the verdict they should reach in a criminal or civil case in the state of Maine. These instructions are designed to ensure that jurors have a clear understanding of the legal standards and principles they must consider when deciding the outcome of a case. The Maine jury instruction — verdict is divided into different types based on the nature of the case and the specific legal issues involved. These types include: 1. Criminal Verdict Instructions: These instructions are given in criminal cases and outline the elements of the crime, burden of proof, and the various legal defenses that may be raised by the defendant. The jurors are instructed to consider all the evidence presented during the trial and determine whether the prosecution has proved the defendant's guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. The verdict types for criminal cases may include guilty, not guilty, or not proven. 2. Civil Verdict Instructions: In civil cases, these instructions guide jurors on how to decide liability and damages. Depending on the case, the jury may be asked to render a general verdict, determining liability and damages together, or a special verdict, where they provide specific findings on each issue separately. The instructions also explain the burden of proof, applicable legal standards, and any special considerations unique to the case. 3. Negligence Verdict Instructions: These instructions are utilized in personal injury cases where a party seeks compensation for injuries caused by negligence. Jurors are provided with guidelines on how to assess whether the defendant's actions breached the duty of care owed to the plaintiff and caused their injuries. They may be instructed to determine liability and allocate comparative fault among multiple parties involved. 4. Wrongful Death Verdict Instructions: In cases involving wrongful death claims, the instructions focus on establishing liability for the death and determining damages. Jurors may be required to consider various factors such as the deceased's financial contributions, loss of companionship, and emotional distress suffered by the surviving family members. 5. Damages Verdict Instructions: When the primary issue in a case revolves around determining the appropriate level of damages to be awarded, the jury receives specific instructions on how to evaluate and calculate damages. These instructions help them understand the various types of damages, including compensatory, punitive, or nominal damages, and how to consider evidence presented during the trial to arrive at a fair and just verdict on the amount to be awarded. It is important to note that the specific instructions given to the jury may vary depending on the facts and circumstances of each case. The judge presiding over the trial is responsible for selecting and delivering the appropriate Maine jury instruction — verdict that best suits the case at hand, ensuring that the jurors have the necessary legal guidance to reach a just and fair decision.