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Law Library  Model Jury Instructions on Homicide

The 2018 version of the instructions – NOTE: for a version of these instructions that incorporates Commonwealth v. Castillo, 485 Mass. 852 (2020), and Commonwealth v. Dunphe, 485 Mass. 871 (2020), see the Superior Court Model Jury Instructions, Criminal instructions, Crimes against the person, Homicide (SJC) (3/1/21).

Organization: Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court Massachusetts Court System
Date published: April 25, 2018

Introduction

In April of 2018, 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 and issued revised Model Jury Instructions in 2013. The 2018 revised Model Jury Instructions on Homicide reflect new developments in the law since 2013.

The Model Jury Instructions 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.

See also:

  • Suggested modifications to jury instructions regarding criminal responsibility and drug use in Commonwealth v. Dunphe, 485 Mass. 871 (2020)
  • New jury instruction for extreme atrocity or cruelty in Commonwealth v. Castillo, 485 Mass. 852, Appendix (2020)

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