Wyoming 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 Wyoming Jury Instruction — Modified Allen Charge is a legal instruction given by a judge to a jury during deliberations in a criminal trial. It is an encouragement to the jury to continue deliberating and reach a unanimous verdict, without coercing or unduly pressuring any dissenting jurors. The purpose of the Modified Allen Charge is to alleviate deadlocks in jury deliberations and promote further discussion among jurors, while respecting each juror's individual opinion. It is named after the landmark 1896 U.S. Supreme Court case Allen v. United States, which set the standard for such instructions. In Wyoming, there are several variations of the Modified Allen Charge that may be used depending on the specific circumstances of the case: 1. Standard Modified Allen Charge: This is the most commonly used version in Wyoming courts. It advises jurors that they have a duty to make every reasonable effort to reach a unanimous verdict based on the evidence presented in court. It also emphasizes that jurors should be open-minded, listen to each other's viewpoints, and reconsider their own positions if convinced by the arguments of fellow jurors. 2. Softened Modified Allen Charge: Sometimes, the judge may deem it necessary to soften the language of the instruction to reduce any potential coercive effect it might have on jurors. This version maintains the main elements of the standard charge but is phrased in a less authoritative or potentially intimidating manner. 3. Tailored Modified Allen Charge: In certain cases, the judge may modify the instruction to address specific concerns or issues raised during deliberations. This tailored version may include additional guidance or context to help the jury overcome particular challenges they are facing and encourage a more informed discussion. It is important to note that while the Modified Allen Charge is a permissible tool to break deadlock in jury deliberations, it must be used cautiously to ensure that it does not unduly pressure jurors or compromise their ability to fulfill their duty as impartial fact-finders. The use of this instructional charge is subject to careful scrutiny by appellate courts to safeguard the fairness of the trial process.

The Wyoming Jury Instruction — Modified Allen Charge is a legal instruction given by a judge to a jury during deliberations in a criminal trial. It is an encouragement to the jury to continue deliberating and reach a unanimous verdict, without coercing or unduly pressuring any dissenting jurors. The purpose of the Modified Allen Charge is to alleviate deadlocks in jury deliberations and promote further discussion among jurors, while respecting each juror's individual opinion. It is named after the landmark 1896 U.S. Supreme Court case Allen v. United States, which set the standard for such instructions. In Wyoming, there are several variations of the Modified Allen Charge that may be used depending on the specific circumstances of the case: 1. Standard Modified Allen Charge: This is the most commonly used version in Wyoming courts. It advises jurors that they have a duty to make every reasonable effort to reach a unanimous verdict based on the evidence presented in court. It also emphasizes that jurors should be open-minded, listen to each other's viewpoints, and reconsider their own positions if convinced by the arguments of fellow jurors. 2. Softened Modified Allen Charge: Sometimes, the judge may deem it necessary to soften the language of the instruction to reduce any potential coercive effect it might have on jurors. This version maintains the main elements of the standard charge but is phrased in a less authoritative or potentially intimidating manner. 3. Tailored Modified Allen Charge: In certain cases, the judge may modify the instruction to address specific concerns or issues raised during deliberations. This tailored version may include additional guidance or context to help the jury overcome particular challenges they are facing and encourage a more informed discussion. It is important to note that while the Modified Allen Charge is a permissible tool to break deadlock in jury deliberations, it must be used cautiously to ensure that it does not unduly pressure jurors or compromise their ability to fulfill their duty as impartial fact-finders. The use of this instructional charge is subject to careful scrutiny by appellate courts to safeguard the fairness of the trial process.