Press Release

Press Release  Superior Court Announces Publication of Model Jury Instructions

For immediate release:
3/10/2021
  • Superior Court
  • Massachusetts Court System

Media Contact   for Superior Court Announces Publication of Model Jury Instructions

Jennifer Donahue and Erika Gully-Santiago

BOSTON, MAMassachusetts Superior Court Chief Justice Judith Fabricant is pleased to announce the online publication of official, plain language Superior Court Model Jury Instructions.

These jury instructions have been drafted by a standing committee of Superior Court judges, chaired by Judge Kathe Tuttman, with assistance from a linguistics expert. They include model scripts for civil and criminal jury empanelment, pre-charges, and final instructions, in addition to a set of guidelines and a style template for drafting jury instructions.

A formatted version of the Supreme Judicial Court’s Model Homicide Instructions is also included. Additional instructions for specific civil causes of action and criminal offenses will be added in the future, and the instructions will be updated regularly to reflect changes in statutory and case law.

The Superior Court welcomes input on these instructions. Comments and suggestions may be sent to Alex.Philipson@jud.state.ma.us.

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Media Contact   for Superior Court Announces Publication of Model Jury Instructions

  • Superior Court 

    The Superior Court Department is a statewide court that handles both criminal and civil actions.
  • Massachusetts Court System 

    The Massachusetts court system consists of the Supreme Judicial Court, the Appeals Court, the Executive Office of the Trial Court, the 7 Trial Court departments, the Massachusetts Probation Service, and the Office of Jury Commissioner.
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