IL · jury_instructions
Ill. Pattern Jury Instr. (Civil) 1.08
Implicit bias
We all have feelings, assumptions, perceptions, fears, and stereotypes about others.
Some biases we are aware of and others we might not be fully aware of, which is why they are
called “implicit biases” or “unconscious biases.”
Our biases often affect how we act, favorably or unfavorably, toward someone. Bias can
affect our thoughts, how we remember, what we see and hear, whom we believe or disbelieve,
and how we make important decisions.
As jurors you are being asked to make very important decisions in this case. You must
resist jumping to conclusions based on personal likes or dislikes. You must not let bias,
prejudice, or public opinion influence your decision. You must not be biased in favor of or
against any party or witness because of his or her disability, gender, race, religion, ethnicity,
sexual orientation, age, national origin, [or] socioeconomic status[, or [insert any other
impermissible form of bias]].
Your verdict must be based solely on the evidence presented. You must carefully
evaluate the evidence and resist, and help each other to resist, any urge to reach a verdict that is
influenced by bias for or against any party or witness.
Instruction, Notes on Use and Comment approved May 2018; Notes on Use revised May
2019.
Provenance
- Source
- illinoiscourts.gov
- Retrieved
- 2026-08-20
- Edition
- 2026-08-19
- Content hash
bb75a6964a6ee5f7f76e627fdb80db11b70658f34ab40b5a0f2fceef9da9b589
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