Puerto Rico Jury Instruction — 8 Election Of Foreperson Explanation Of Verdict Forms In the Puerto Rico legal system, the process of selecting a foreperson and understanding the different verdict forms is crucial to the smooth functioning of a jury trial. This jury instruction aims to provide a detailed explanation of the election of a foreperson and the different verdict forms used in Puerto Rico. Election of Foreperson: During a jury trial in Puerto Rico, the selection of a foreperson is an important step that takes place at the beginning of deliberations. The foreperson is chosen by the jury members themselves and will act as the spokesperson throughout the deliberation process. It is the foreperson's responsibility to ensure that the jury remains organized and focused on the issues at hand. Their role also involves communicating with the judge and delivering the final verdict. Explanation of Verdict Forms: In Puerto Rico, the jury is presented with various verdict forms, each serving a specific purpose in reaching a final decision. These forms include: 1. Guilty/Not Guilty Verdict Form: This verdict form is used when the jury is determining the guilt or innocence of the defendant. The jury must carefully review the evidence and apply the relevant laws to make a unanimous decision. 2. Partial Verdict Form: In some cases, the jury may reach a partial verdict where they agree on some charges but remain deadlocked on others. In such instances, a partial verdict form is used to record the decisions made by the jury. 3. Hung Jury Verdict Form: If the jury is unable to reach a unanimous decision on any charge after careful deliberation, a hung jury verdict form is used. This indicates that the jury was unable to find the defendant guilty or not guilty, resulting in a mistrial. 4. Special Verdict Form: In complex cases, special verdict forms may be used to pose specific questions to the jury for clarification on various legal or factual issues. The responses given by the jury help the judge make a final determination based on the facts as found by the jury. 5. Allen Charge Instruction: If the jury faces difficulties reaching a unanimous verdict, the judge may provide an Allen Charge instruction. This instruction encourages the jury to re-evaluate their positions and make every effort to reach a unanimous decision. These different types of verdict forms and the election of a foreperson ensure a fair and organized jury trial process in Puerto Rico. It is essential for jurors to understand the significance of their roles and the specific forms they will encounter throughout the deliberations, aiding an impartial and just legal system.