CT · jury_instructions
Conn. Crim. Jury Instr. 1.2-3
Constitutional Principles
Every defendant in a criminal case is presumed to be innocent and this presumption of innocence
remains with the defendant throughout the trial unless and until (he/she) is proved guilty beyond
a reasonable doubt.
The burden is on the state to prove the defendant guilty beyond a reasonable doubt, and that
burden of proof never shifts throughout the trial. Unless you find at the conclusion of all the
evidence that the state has proved beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant has committed
every element of an offense, you must find (him/her) not guilty of that offense. On the other
hand, if you are satisfied that the evidence establishes the guilt of the defendant beyond a
reasonable doubt, you should not hesitate to find (him/her) guilty.
[<Include only after discussion with and agreement by defense counsel.> The defendant may or
may not testify in this case. An accused person has the option to testify or not to testify at the
trial. (He/she) is under no obligation to testify. (He/she) has a constitutional right not to testify.
You must draw no unfavorable inferences from the defendant’s choice not to testify.]
Provenance
- Source
- jud.ct.gov
- Retrieved
- 2026-08-23
- Edition
- 2026-08-23
- Content hash
8eca8b6664a8dfe584899f1959dbe8db07658c5ec21f9011188371b5089bfcad
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