Ohio 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. Ohio Jury Instruction — Modified Allen Charge is a legal instruction provided to a jury when they are deadlocked or unable to reach a unanimous decision in a criminal trial. The purpose of this charge is to encourage jurors to reconsider their positions and strive for a verdict. The Modified Allen Charge is derived from the original Allen Charge, which was developed by the U.S. Supreme Court in Allen v. United States (1896). It is named after an Ohio Supreme Court case, State v. Allen (1987), which modified the language of the instruction to better align with modern legal standards. This instruction can be given by the judge after the jury has deliberated for a reasonable amount of time without reaching a verdict. It emphasizes the importance of each juror's individual duty to deliberate, express their opinions, and consider the viewpoints of others respectfully. The Ohio Jury Instruction — Modified Allen Charge typically includes phrases such as "The court would consider it a useful service if you would give every reasonable effort to reach a verdict in this case" and "In any event, no juror should surrender an honest belief regarding the weight or effect of the evidence solely because of the opinions of other jurors or for the mere purpose of returning a verdict." Different types of Ohio Jury Instruction — Modified Allen Charge may vary in their specific wording, but they generally aim to remind jurors of their responsibilities, encourage collaboration, and discourage stubborn adherence to one's initial beliefs. The primary objective is to facilitate a fair and just resolution through consensus. The instruction seeks to strike a delicate balance by not unduly coercing jurors or compromising their individual judgments. It must be carefully tailored to avoid any suggestion of improper pressure or manipulation. Furthermore, juror unanimity is not forcibly demanded, rather the charge endeavors to persuade jurors to weigh their stance once more before concluding the deliberation process. Overall, the Ohio Jury Instruction — Modified Allen Charge serves as a legal tool to promote open-mindedness, dialogue, and a diligent pursuit of justice among jurors. It acknowledges the importance of a unanimous verdict, but respects individual viewpoints and promotes a cooperative approach to decision-making within the confines of the law.

Ohio Jury Instruction — Modified Allen Charge is a legal instruction provided to a jury when they are deadlocked or unable to reach a unanimous decision in a criminal trial. The purpose of this charge is to encourage jurors to reconsider their positions and strive for a verdict. The Modified Allen Charge is derived from the original Allen Charge, which was developed by the U.S. Supreme Court in Allen v. United States (1896). It is named after an Ohio Supreme Court case, State v. Allen (1987), which modified the language of the instruction to better align with modern legal standards. This instruction can be given by the judge after the jury has deliberated for a reasonable amount of time without reaching a verdict. It emphasizes the importance of each juror's individual duty to deliberate, express their opinions, and consider the viewpoints of others respectfully. The Ohio Jury Instruction — Modified Allen Charge typically includes phrases such as "The court would consider it a useful service if you would give every reasonable effort to reach a verdict in this case" and "In any event, no juror should surrender an honest belief regarding the weight or effect of the evidence solely because of the opinions of other jurors or for the mere purpose of returning a verdict." Different types of Ohio Jury Instruction — Modified Allen Charge may vary in their specific wording, but they generally aim to remind jurors of their responsibilities, encourage collaboration, and discourage stubborn adherence to one's initial beliefs. The primary objective is to facilitate a fair and just resolution through consensus. The instruction seeks to strike a delicate balance by not unduly coercing jurors or compromising their individual judgments. It must be carefully tailored to avoid any suggestion of improper pressure or manipulation. Furthermore, juror unanimity is not forcibly demanded, rather the charge endeavors to persuade jurors to weigh their stance once more before concluding the deliberation process. Overall, the Ohio Jury Instruction — Modified Allen Charge serves as a legal tool to promote open-mindedness, dialogue, and a diligent pursuit of justice among jurors. It acknowledges the importance of a unanimous verdict, but respects individual viewpoints and promotes a cooperative approach to decision-making within the confines of the law.