Philadelphia Pennsylvania Jury Instruction - Impeachment - Inconsistent Statement - Defendant Testifies With Felony Conviction

• Category: Federal - Jury Instructions - Basic Criminal Claim Instructions
• State: Multi-State
• County: Philadelphia
• Control #: US-11CR-6-4
• Format: Word; Rich Text

Description

This form contains sample jury instructions, to be used across the United States. These questions are to be used only as a model, and should be altered to more perfectly fit your own cause of action needs.

Keywords: Philadelphia Pennsylvania, jury instruction, impeachment, inconsistent statement, defendant testifies, felony conviction. Philadelphia Pennsylvania Jury Instruction Impeachmenten— - Inconsistent Statemen— - Defendant Testifies With Felony Conviction: In the state of Pennsylvania, the Philadelphia court system employs various jury instructions to guide jurors in criminal trials. One crucial instruction is the "Impeachment — InconsistenStatementen— - Defendant Testifies With Felony Conviction." This instruction is specifically relevant when a defendant, who has been convicted of a felony, chooses to testify in their own defense during the trial. It addresses the potential impact of inconsistent statements made by the defendant on their credibility as a witness. When a defendant testifies in court, their credibility is of paramount importance. The jury's ability to evaluate the defendant's honesty and truthfulness significantly influences their decision-making process. However, when a defendant has a prior felony conviction, jurors may question their character and integrity, potentially undermining their believability. This particular jury instruction serves to provide guidance for jurors when determining the weight and reliability to assign the defendant's testimony in light of any inconsistent statements made during the trial. It instructs the jury to exercise caution and scrutinize the defendant's statements with caution due to their felony conviction. By highlighting the potential impact of this conviction on the defendant's credibility, the instruction aims to ensure a fair evaluation by the jury. Types of Philadelphia Pennsylvania Jury Instruction Impeachmenten— - Inconsistent Statemen— - Defendant Testifies With Felony Conviction: 1. Standard Instruction: This is the primary jury instruction provided in cases where the defendant testifies with a felony conviction. It guides jurors to consider the defendant's criminal background and exercise extra caution when assessing their testimony. 2. Expert Witness Instruction: In cases where an expert witness with a felony conviction testifies, this specific instruction is given. It emphasizes the need for the jury to thoroughly evaluate the expert's credibility and assess the potential impact of their past conviction on their professional expertise. 3. Witness Credibility Instruction: This variation of the jury instruction applies when a witness other than the defendant testifies with a felony conviction. It reminds jurors to treat the testimony of such witnesses with caution and weigh it against other evidence presented in the trial. 4. Prior Conviction Veracity Instruction: When a defendant testifies, but their prior conviction is not a felony, this instruction is modified slightly. It requests the jury to consider the nature of the prior conviction and its potential effect on the defendant's credibility as a witness. In conclusion, the Philadelphia Pennsylvania Jury Instruction Impeachmenten— - Inconsistent Statemen— - Defendant Testifies With Felony Conviction is an essential tool in ensuring a fair evaluation of a defendant's testimony when they have a prior felony conviction. By sensitizing jurors to the potential impact of this conviction on credibility, the instruction aims to maintain the integrity of the trial process. Various types of this instruction exist to address different scenarios, including expert witnesses or witnesses other than the defendant, highlighting the importance of tailoring instructions to specific circumstances.