| Organization: | Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court Massachusetts Court System |
|---|---|
| Date published: | March 30, 2026 |
Introduction
In March of 2026, the Supreme Judicial Court announced the release of revised Model Jury Instructions on Homicide. The Justices first approved and recommended the use of Model Jury Instructions on Homicide in 1999. Prior to 2026, the instructions were revised on two occasions, in 2013 and 2018. The 2026 instructions reflect developments in the law since 2018.
The Model Jury Instructions on Homicide are not intended to be a comprehensive statement of the law, but rather provide guidance to judges on those instructions that are frequently given in trials of homicide cases, except vehicular homicide cases.
Table of Contents
- Introductory information for Model Jury Instructions on Homicide
- Statement of the Justices on the Model Jury Instructions on Homicide
- Model Jury Instructions on Homicide list of principal revisions
- Model Jury Instructions on Homicide: I. Criminal responsibility
- Model Jury Instructions on Homicide: II. Joint venture
- Model Jury Instructions on Homicide: III. Self-defense and defense of another
- Model Jury Instructions on Homicide: IV. Murder in the first degree
- Model Jury Instructions on Homicide: V. Murder in the second degree
- Model Jury Instructions on Homicide: VI. Voluntary manslaughter
- Model Jury Instructions on Homicide: VII. Involuntary manslaughter
- Model Jury Instructions on Homicide: VIII. Supplemental instructions
- Model Jury Instructions on Homicide: IX. Appendix
Contact
Phone
Main number
(617) 557-1000
Clerk's Office for the Commonwealth
(617) 557-1020
Maura A. Looney, Esq., Clerk
Clerk's Office for the County of Suffolk
(617) 557-1100
Allison S. Cartwright, Esq., Clerk
Public Information Office
(617) 557-1114
Jennifer Donahue, Public Information Officer
Online
Address
John Adams Courthouse
1 Pemberton Square, Suite 2500
Boston, MA 02108