US-CA3 · jury_instructions
3d Cir. Model Jury Instr. (Criminal) 2.37
Instructions Prior to Closing Arguments
Members of the jury, you have heard and seen all the evidence in this
case. The lawyers now have the opportunity to present their closing
arguments. Under the Rules of Criminal Procedure, the government will
argue first, then the defense will present its closing argument(s), and finally
the government may, if it chooses, argue in response or in rebuttal to the
defense’s argument(s).
Closing arguments are designed to present to you the parties’ theories
about what the evidence has shown and what conclusions may be drawn from
the evidence. Remember, what is said in closing arguments is not evidence.
You have already heard and seen all the evidence in this case.
After the lawyers present their closing arguments, I will give you my
final instructions concerning the law that you must apply to the evidence in
reaching your verdict. Although the lawyers may mention points of law in
their closing arguments, the law that you must follow in reaching your verdict
is the law that I will give you in my final instructions. If there is any
difference between what the lawyers say about the law and what I tell you in
my final instructions, you must follow my instructions.
Provenance
- Source
- ca3.uscourts.gov
- Retrieved
- 2026-08-19
- Edition
- 2026-08-19
- Content hash
dab197485be59137c2be9f99ed6ccfb60b45a46694c3ae848260c3dc110a6a7e
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