Wake North Carolina Jury Instruction Cautionio— - Multiple Defendants - Multiple Counts is a legal instruction provided to the jury in criminal trials involving multiple defendants and multiple counts. This instruction aims to guide the jury in carefully evaluating and distinguishing the evidence against each defendant and the charges leveled against them. When faced with multiple defendants and multiple counts, it is crucial for the jury to treat each defendant and charge separately, considering the evidence presented individually. This helps ensure fairness and prevents any potential confusion or biases from affecting the verdict. There are several types of Wake North Carolina Jury Instruction Cautionio— - Multiple Defendants - Multiple Counts, each serving a distinct purpose. These instructions include: 1. Individual Consideration: The jury is instructed to consider the evidence against each defendant separately. They should evaluate the guilt or innocence of each defendant based on their individual actions and level of involvement. 2. Specific Evidence: The jury is advised to carefully examine the evidence presented against each defendant for each count. They must not assume that the evidence against one defendant applies to all defendants or all counts. 3. Burden of Proof: The jury is reminded that the burden of proof lies with the prosecution for each count and each defendant. They are instructed not to consider each defendant's guilt based on the actions or evidence against other defendants. 4. Reasonable Doubt: The jury is reminded of the high standard of proof required to convict a defendant, and they must have no reasonable doubt about the guilt of each defendant for each count independently. 5. Jury Deliberations: The jury is instructed to deliberate separately for each defendant and each count. They should reach a verdict for each defendant and each count independently, considering the evidence and instructions provided by the court. These Wake North Carolina Jury Instructions serve as a crucial tool in ensuring a fair trial. They emphasize the importance of individual consideration, fair evaluation of evidence, and the burden of proof, preventing any potential prejudice or confusion caused by multiple defendants and counts.