New Hampshire 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. New Hampshire Jury Instruction — Modified Allen Charge is a legal instruction given to a jury when they are deadlocked and unable to reach a unanimous verdict. This instructional charge is designed to encourage jurors to reexamine their positions, engage in additional discussion, and strive for a unanimous decision. The Modified Allen Charge, also known as the Dynamite Charge or the Allen Instruction, was first introduced in the landmark New Hampshire court case State v. Allen. This charge aims to prevent a mistrial due to jury deadlock and promotes the principle of unanimity, which holds that a jury should strive to reach a unanimous verdict wherever possible. Keywords: New Hampshire, jury instruction, Modified Allen Charge, Dynamite Charge, Allen Instruction, jury deadlock, unlawful trial termination, unanimous verdict. Different types of New Hampshire Jury Instruction — Modified Allen Charge include: 1. Standard Modified Allen Charge: This is the most common version of the instruction, where the judge encourages jurors to reconsider their positions but does not exert undue pressure on the minority to conform to the majority's opinion. 2. Balanced Modified Allen Charge: This variation emphasizes the importance of respect for each juror's individual opinions while urging them to reassess their own positions in light of the arguments presented during deliberation. It strives to maintain fairness and impartiality throughout the deliberation process. 3. Strong Modified Allen Charge: In certain cases, a judge may opt for a more forceful instruction to the jury, explicitly expressing the urgency to decide on a verdict in an attempt to break the deadlock. This charge sometimes places additional emphasis on the potential costs and consequences of ending the trial without reaching a unanimous decision. 4. Weaker Modified Allen Charge: On the other end of the spectrum, a judge may choose to give a more gentle and less assertive instruction to the jury, aiming to inspire cooperation and an open-mindedness without applying excessive pressure. Keywords: Standard Modified Allen Charge, Balanced Modified Allen Charge, Strong Modified Allen Charge, Weaker Modified Allen Charge, judicial discretion, jury deliberation, unanimous decision, jury deadlock. In summary, the New Hampshire Jury Instruction — Modified Allen Charge provides a framework for judges to guide deadlocked juries towards achieving a unanimous verdict. Its purpose is to maintain the integrity of the judicial process and promote fair deliberations that take into account the perspectives of all jurors.

New Hampshire Jury Instruction — Modified Allen Charge is a legal instruction given to a jury when they are deadlocked and unable to reach a unanimous verdict. This instructional charge is designed to encourage jurors to reexamine their positions, engage in additional discussion, and strive for a unanimous decision. The Modified Allen Charge, also known as the Dynamite Charge or the Allen Instruction, was first introduced in the landmark New Hampshire court case State v. Allen. This charge aims to prevent a mistrial due to jury deadlock and promotes the principle of unanimity, which holds that a jury should strive to reach a unanimous verdict wherever possible. Keywords: New Hampshire, jury instruction, Modified Allen Charge, Dynamite Charge, Allen Instruction, jury deadlock, unlawful trial termination, unanimous verdict. Different types of New Hampshire Jury Instruction — Modified Allen Charge include: 1. Standard Modified Allen Charge: This is the most common version of the instruction, where the judge encourages jurors to reconsider their positions but does not exert undue pressure on the minority to conform to the majority's opinion. 2. Balanced Modified Allen Charge: This variation emphasizes the importance of respect for each juror's individual opinions while urging them to reassess their own positions in light of the arguments presented during deliberation. It strives to maintain fairness and impartiality throughout the deliberation process. 3. Strong Modified Allen Charge: In certain cases, a judge may opt for a more forceful instruction to the jury, explicitly expressing the urgency to decide on a verdict in an attempt to break the deadlock. This charge sometimes places additional emphasis on the potential costs and consequences of ending the trial without reaching a unanimous decision. 4. Weaker Modified Allen Charge: On the other end of the spectrum, a judge may choose to give a more gentle and less assertive instruction to the jury, aiming to inspire cooperation and an open-mindedness without applying excessive pressure. Keywords: Standard Modified Allen Charge, Balanced Modified Allen Charge, Strong Modified Allen Charge, Weaker Modified Allen Charge, judicial discretion, jury deliberation, unanimous decision, jury deadlock. In summary, the New Hampshire Jury Instruction — Modified Allen Charge provides a framework for judges to guide deadlocked juries towards achieving a unanimous verdict. Its purpose is to maintain the integrity of the judicial process and promote fair deliberations that take into account the perspectives of all jurors.