Jury Instruction
On 2 occasions during the trial, the court formally instructs the jury. When the jury has been sworn to try the case, and before the opening statements by the opposing parties, the court reads written instructions to the jury outlining the issue for trial, the burden of proof, the credibility of witnesses, and the manner of weighing the testimony to be received. Again, when all tile evidence is in and the lawyers have made their arguments, tile court instructs the jury, stating the rules of law to guide the deliberations of the jurors.
Civil / Criminal Case Difference
There is one very important difference between the deliberation of jurors in civil cases and in criminal cases. In civil cases, the court determines the law, and the jury determines the facts. The court instructs the jury on the law, and the jurors are bound by the
law as given to them in the instructions of the court.