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Jury Instructions Before Closing Arguments

Resource Guide

The Center for Jury Studies

 

Federal Rules of Civil Procedure Rule 51 (1996) (giving the trial court discretion to deliver jury instructions before or after closing arguments).

Wisconsin Statute 805.13(4) (1994) (giving the trial court discretion to deliver jury instructions before or after closing arguments).

New York State Bar Association, Committee on Federal Courts.  "Improving Jury Comprehension in Complex Civil Litigation."  62 St. John's Review 549, 553-554 (1988) (survey results finding that the majority of judges and lawyers favored preinstruction).

William W Schwarzer.  "Communication with Juries: Problems and Remedies."  69 California Law Review 731, 755-759 (1981) (discussing the importance of timing and delivery of jury instructions).