A jury instruction is the judge's oral explanation of the law governing a case. Jury instructions are given after the attorneys have presented all the evidence and have made final arguments, but before the jury begins deliberations. Improper explanations of the law to be applied in jury instructions are often the basis for later appeals.
Utah Instruction to Jury Regarding Goods Wrongfully Taken From Plaintiff as Conversion: In Utah, conversion refers to the unlawful act of wrongfully taking or exercising control over another person's property, depriving the owner of their right to possession. The court may provide specific instructions to the jury regarding this issue. One possible instruction may include: 1. Definition of Conversion: The jury shall be instructed about the legal definition of conversion in Utah. Conversion occurs when a person wrongfully takes, damages, destroys, or exercises control over the personal property of another, without lawful justification, depriving the owner of their right to possess or use the property. 2. Wrongful Intent: The jury should be informed that in order to find the defendant liable for conversion, they must determine that the defendant acted with wrongful intent. It means that the defendant intentionally and knowingly committed the act, or should have known that their actions would result in the deprivation of the plaintiff's property rights. 3. Property Ownership: The jury must establish that the plaintiff had legal ownership or possession rights over the goods in question at the time of the conversion. They should consider any relevant evidence presented during the trial to determine if the plaintiff had the rightful claim to the property. 4. Damages: If the jury finds in favor of the plaintiff and determines that a conversion occurred, they must also consider the issue of damages. The court may provide guidance on assessing the appropriate amount of compensation to be awarded to the plaintiff for the loss of their property, any resulting harm, or any other relevant factors. Please note that the actual instructions provided to the jury may vary depending on the specific case and the judge's discretion. Furthermore, it is essential to consult the relevant Utah statutes, case law, and legal authorities for a comprehensive understanding of instructions related to goods wrongfully taken from the plaintiff as conversion. Other possible variants or types of instructions related to goods wrongfully taken from Plaintiff as conversion in Utah may include variations in elements of intent, the burden of proof, or defenses that the defendant may raise. Each case is unique, and the court may tailor the instructions based on the specific circumstances presented.
