Michigan Jury Instruction - Impeachment - Inconsistent Statement - Defendant Testifies With No Felony Conviction

• Category: Federal - Jury Instructions - Basic Criminal Claim Instructions
• State: Multi-State
• Control #: US-11CR-6-3
• Format: Word; Rich Text

Description

This form contains sample jury instructions, to be used across the United States. These questions are to be used only as a model, and should be altered to more perfectly fit your own cause of action needs.

Michigan Jury Instruction Impeachmenten— - Inconsistent Statemen— - Defendant Testifies With No Felony Conviction is an essential jury instruction used in criminal trials in Michigan. This instruction allows the jury to properly evaluate the credibility and reliability of the defendant's testimony when it contradicts previous statements made by the defendant and when the defendant has no felony convictions on their record. Inconsistency in statements by the defendant can significantly impact the jury's perception of the defendant's truthfulness and credibility. Therefore, this jury instruction serves the purpose of guiding the jurors in weighing the defendant's testimony against any inconsistent statements they may have made during the course of the trial. When a defendant testifies and has no prior felony convictions, it is vital for the jury to consider whether the inconsistencies in the defendant's statements might affect their overall credibility. The absence of felony convictions on the defendant's record should not automatically discredit their testimony; however, the jury may take this into account when determining the weight to assign to their testimony. Several variations of the Michigan Jury Instruction Impeachmenten— - Inconsistent Statemen— - Defendant Testifies With No Felony Conviction may exist, but specific examples could include: 1. Standard Instruction: This instruction explains to the jury that they should evaluate the credibility of the defendant's testimony when they identify inconsistent statements made by the defendant, particularly when the defendant lacks any felony convictions. 2. Modified Instruction: Depending on the specific circumstances of the case, the judge may modify the instruction to suit the particular inconsistencies presented during the trial. This modified instruction would guide the jurors on how to assess the defendant's testimony in light of the inconsistencies and the absence of felony convictions. 3. Expert Testimony Instruction: In certain complex cases, expert witnesses may be called to testify. In these instances, the jury instruction would outline how the jurors should evaluate inconsistent statements made by both the defendant and the expert witness when considering the defendant's lack of felony convictions. It is essential for the jurors to carefully consider the specific details of the case, the nature of the inconsistent statements made, and the absence of felony convictions when evaluating the defendant's testimony. By providing this jury instruction, the court ensures that the jury can make an informed decision regarding the defendant's credibility, ultimately contributing to a fair and just trial process.