Pennsylvania Jury Instruction 1.2 with Counterclaim By Defendant is a legal guideline provided to the jury during a civil trial when the defendant presents a counterclaim against the plaintiff. This instruction helps jurors understand the specific elements and considerations they should take into account when evaluating the defendant's counterclaim, in addition to the plaintiff's original claim. The purpose of Pennsylvania Jury Instruction 1.2 is to ensure that the jury comprehends the legal obligations and standards required to assess the counterclaim fairly. It aims to guide jurors' decision-making process, ensuring that they adequately evaluate the evidence presented and apply the law correctly. This jury instruction comprises several crucial aspects, some of which include: 1. Introduction: The instruction begins by explaining the purpose of the counterclaim and its significance in the case. It clarifies that the defendant's counterclaim is a separate legal cause of action that must be examined independently of the plaintiff's claim. 2. Elements of the counterclaim: This section enumerates the essential elements that the defendant must prove to substantiate their counterclaim. The jury is instructed to carefully consider each element and determine if the defendant has met the burden of proof for their counterclaim. 3. Standard of proof: The jury instruction elucidates the standard of proof required for the counterclaim. It may specify whether the defendant needs to prove their counterclaim by a preponderance of the evidence or by clear and convincing evidence, depending on the specific circumstances of the case. 4. Credibility assessment: The instruction advises the jurors to assess the credibility of the witnesses and evidence presented by both parties. It highlights the importance of considering the credibility, biases, and motivations of the witnesses testifying regarding the counterclaim. 5. Burden of judgment: This part explicitly instructs the jury that if they find the defendant has adequately proven their counterclaim, they must then decide the appropriate amount of damages or any other remedy commensurate with the evidence. It is important to note that there may be different variations or versions of Pennsylvania Jury Instruction 1.2 depending on the specific counterclaim scenarios, legal precedents, or case types. However, without more information about the specific types of counterclaims, it is difficult to provide further details on the variations of this instruction.