In California civil cases, jury instructions are essential guidelines provided by the judge to help jurors understand the law and how to apply it to the facts of the case. These instructions cover a wide range of topics, such as the elements that must be proven to establish liability, the burden of proof, and the standard of evidence required. The judge typically gives these instructions after both parties have presented their evidence and arguments but before deliberation begins. These instructions are designed to ensure that the jury makes decisions based on the law, rather than personal biases or misunderstandings of the legal principles at stake.
The California Judicial Council provides standard jury instructions for civil cases, known as CACI (California Civil Jury Instructions), which are used in most trials. These instructions are meant to be clear, concise, and neutral to avoid influencing the jury’s verdict. In some instances, the judge may give custom instructions if the case involves specific legal issues not covered by the standard instructions. Both parties may propose additional instructions or object to those given by the judge. Ultimately, the jury must follow these instructions to determine the outcome based on the law, applying the relevant legal standards to the facts they’ve found during the trial.
