Washington 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. The Washington Jury Instruction — Modified Allen Charge is a legal instruction provided to jurors in the state of Washington. This charge is designed to encourage deliberation and promote a unanimous decision among jurors when they are deadlocked or have difficulty reaching a verdict. It is named after the case Allen v. United States, which first introduced this type of instruction. Also known as the "Allen Charge," the Washington Jury Instruction instructs the jurors to approach their deliberations with a willingness to re-examine their own opinions and consider the opinions of others. The purpose of this instruction is to avoid mistrials due to a hung jury and to ensure a fair and just verdict. There are a few variations of the Washington Jury Instruction — Modified Allen Charge that can be used depending on the circumstances of the case. Some of these variations include: 1. The Standard Modified Allen Charge: This version emphasizes the importance of reaching a unanimous decision and encourages jurors to openly discuss their viewpoints and listen to each other's arguments. 2. The Polite Modified Allen Charge: This variation focuses on maintaining a respectful and open dialogue among jurors. It emphasizes that each juror's opinion is valuable and must be considered in reaching a verdict. 3. The Strong Modified Allen Charge: In cases where the jury has been deadlocked for an extended period, this instruction may be used to exert more pressure on jurors to reach a unanimous decision. It emphasizes the time and money invested in the trial and encourages jurors to make every effort to reach a verdict. 4. The Balanced Modified Allen Charge: This variation aims to strike a balance between encouraging unanimity and respecting individual opinions. It emphasizes the importance of being open-minded and willing to change one's position if convinced by the arguments presented by other jurors. The Washington Jury Instruction — Modified Allen Charge is a powerful tool that judges can use to guide jurors during deliberations. By using this charge, the court hopes to avoid mistrials and ensure a fair and just outcome for all parties involved in the trial.

The Washington Jury Instruction — Modified Allen Charge is a legal instruction provided to jurors in the state of Washington. This charge is designed to encourage deliberation and promote a unanimous decision among jurors when they are deadlocked or have difficulty reaching a verdict. It is named after the case Allen v. United States, which first introduced this type of instruction. Also known as the "Allen Charge," the Washington Jury Instruction instructs the jurors to approach their deliberations with a willingness to re-examine their own opinions and consider the opinions of others. The purpose of this instruction is to avoid mistrials due to a hung jury and to ensure a fair and just verdict. There are a few variations of the Washington Jury Instruction — Modified Allen Charge that can be used depending on the circumstances of the case. Some of these variations include: 1. The Standard Modified Allen Charge: This version emphasizes the importance of reaching a unanimous decision and encourages jurors to openly discuss their viewpoints and listen to each other's arguments. 2. The Polite Modified Allen Charge: This variation focuses on maintaining a respectful and open dialogue among jurors. It emphasizes that each juror's opinion is valuable and must be considered in reaching a verdict. 3. The Strong Modified Allen Charge: In cases where the jury has been deadlocked for an extended period, this instruction may be used to exert more pressure on jurors to reach a unanimous decision. It emphasizes the time and money invested in the trial and encourages jurors to make every effort to reach a verdict. 4. The Balanced Modified Allen Charge: This variation aims to strike a balance between encouraging unanimity and respecting individual opinions. It emphasizes the importance of being open-minded and willing to change one's position if convinced by the arguments presented by other jurors. The Washington Jury Instruction — Modified Allen Charge is a powerful tool that judges can use to guide jurors during deliberations. By using this charge, the court hopes to avoid mistrials and ensure a fair and just outcome for all parties involved in the trial.