New Mexico Jury Instruction — Preliminary Instructions Before Opening Statements — Short Form is a legal document that provides guidance to the jury members about their roles and responsibilities during a trial in the state of New Mexico. These instructions are given by the judge before the opening statements in order to establish a foundation for a fair and unbiased trial. The purpose of the New Mexico Jury Instruction — Preliminary Instructions Before Opening Statements — Short Form is to familiarize the jury with the basic legal principles they need to be aware of during the trial. It helps the members understand their duty to act impartially and to base their decisions solely on the evidence presented in court. This jury instruction informs the jury about their responsibility to make individual determinations regarding the facts of the case and to not discuss it with anyone outside the jury deliberation room. It emphasizes the importance of maintaining confidentiality to ensure a fair trial. To guarantee a fair trial, the New Mexico Jury Instruction — Preliminary Instructions Before Opening Statements — Short Form instructs the jury not to conduct any independent investigations, research, or use any external resources, such as the internet or social media, to obtain information related to the case. This instruction aims to prevent any bias or influence that stems from outside sources. Furthermore, this form highlights that the jury should not form any prejudgment or make any decisions based on sympathy or prejudice. It stresses the need to differentiate between facts and opinions and to rely solely on the evidence presented in the courtroom throughout the trial process. Although the mentioned content covers the general guidelines provided in the New Mexico Jury Instruction — Preliminary Instructions Before Opening Statements — Short Form, it is important to note that variations of this form may exist depending on specific cases or jurisdictions. These variations can arise based on the nature of the trial, the legal issues involved, or the preferences of the presiding judge. In summary, the New Mexico Jury Instruction — Preliminary Instructions Before Opening Statements — Short Form is a comprehensive guideline that outlines the key responsibilities and expectations for jury members in the state of New Mexico. By following these instructions, the jury helps in ensuring a fair trial by basing their judgments solely on the evidence presented during the court proceedings.