In a New York jury trial, one of the potential jury instructions that may be given by the judge is related to impeachment and inconsistent statements. This specific instruction applies when the defendant, who has a prior felony conviction, chooses to testify during the trial. Impeachment, in a legal context, refers to the process of questioning the credibility and reliability of a witness's statements. In this instruction, the focus is on inconsistencies between the defendant's current testimony and their prior statements, considering the impact of their felony conviction on their credibility. The purpose of this jury instruction is to inform the jury about the potential effect of the defendant's felony conviction on their credibility and to guide them in evaluating the defendant's testimony. By highlighting the inconsistencies between the defendant's current statements under oath and their previous statements, the instruction allows the jury to assess the defendant's truthfulness and make an informed decision. Different types of New York Jury Instruction Impeachmenten— - Inconsistent Statemen— - Defendant Testifies With Felony Conviction may include: 1. Standard Impeachment Jury Instruction: This instruction outlines the general principles of impeachment based on inconsistent statements given by the defendant with a felony conviction. It describes the legal process and provides guidance to the jury in assessing the credibility of the defendant's testimony. 2. Factual Comparison Instruction: This instruction instructs the jury to analyze and compare the defendant's current testimony with their prior statements in order to identify any inconsistencies or contradictions. It emphasizes that the felony conviction can impact the defendant's credibility. 3. Juror Consideration Instruction: This instruction advises the jury to carefully consider the nature and significance of the inconsistencies between the defendant's testimony and their prior statements. It may also include guidance on the weight to be given to the defendant's felony conviction and the impact it should have on their overall assessment of the defendant's credibility. 4. Expert Testimony Instruction: In some cases, expert witnesses, such as forensic psychologists or criminologists, may be called to testify about the potential impact of a defendant's felony conviction on their credibility or truthfulness. This instruction would guide the jury in evaluating and weighing such expert testimony in conjunction with the inconsistent statements made by the defendant. 5. Special Circumstances Instruction: Depending on the specifics of the case, there may be additional instructions related to the defendant's felony conviction and inconsistent statements. These instructions might address particular circumstances, such as whether the conviction is directly related to the case at hand or whether the defendant's prior statements are relevant to the issues being disputed. It is important to note that the specific jury instructions given will depend on the facts and circumstances of each case and the direction provided by the judge. The purpose is always to guide the jury in a fair and unbiased evaluation of the defendant's testimony, considering the impact of their felony conviction and any inconsistencies in their statements.