PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICE
SUPREME JUDICIAL COURT
John Adams Courthouse
One Pemberton Square
Boston, Massachusetts 02108
CONTACT:
Jennifer Donahue/Erika Gully-Santiago
PublicInfo@sjc.state.ma.us
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 10, 2021
Superior Court Announces Publication of Model Jury Instructions
BOSTON, MA - Massachusetts Superior Court Chief Justice Judith Fabricant is pleased to announce the online publication of official, plain language Superior Court Model Jury Instructions.
These jury instructions have been drafted by a standing committee of Superior Court judges, chaired by Judge Kathe Tuttman, with assistance from a linguistics expert. They include model scripts for civil and criminal jury empanelment, pre-charges, and final instructions, in addition to a set of guidelines and a style template for drafting jury instructions.
A formatted version of the Supreme Judicial Court’s Model Homicide Instructions is also included. Additional instructions for specific civil causes of action and criminal offenses will be added in the future, and the instructions will be updated regularly to reflect changes in statutory and case law.
The Superior Court welcomes input on these instructions. Comments and suggestions may be sent to Alex.Philipson@jud.state.ma.us.
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