Tennessee Jury Instruction — Modified Allen Charge, also known as the Modified Allen Charge in Tennessee, is a legal instruction commonly used by judges to encourage deadlocked juries to continue their deliberation and strive for a unanimous decision. This charge is employed when the jurors are unable to reach a verdict and the court believes that further deliberation might lead to a consensus. The Tennessee Jury Instruction — Modified Allen Charge emphasizes the importance of reaching a unanimous decision without unduly pressuring any juror to change their viewpoint. It is named after the 1896 U.S. Supreme Court case Allen v. United States, which set the precedent for this charge. This jury instruction serves as a reminder of jurors' duty to discuss the evidence presented, carefully consider the viewpoints expressed by other jurors, and reevaluate their own position if warranted. It urges jurors to be open-minded, respectful, and willing to reexamine their positions with a view to reaching a unanimous verdict. The Modified Allen Charge in Tennessee typically includes language like "You should listen to each other's opinions and give them the respect and consideration you hope to receive" and "Remember, it is the solemn duty of each juror to try to reach an agreement in this case if at all possible." While there may not be specific types of Modified Allen Charge instructions, judges may have some discretion in tailoring the language to fit the specific circumstances of the case. Therefore, the exact wording and emphasis within the Modified Allen Charge may vary from one trial to another, but the primary objective remains the same — to encourage deadlocked jurors to continue deliberating and ultimately strive for a unanimous decision. In summary, Tennessee Jury Instruction — Modified Allen Charge is an instruction used when a jury is deadlocked in reaching a unanimous verdict. It aims to encourage open-mindedness, respectful deliberation, and reevaluation of individual positions. By providing this charge, the court seeks to inspire jurors to continue deliberating with the goal of achieving a unanimous verdict.