VT · jury_instructions

Vermont Model Criminal Jury Instructions CR05-321

PRO SE DEFENDANT

activein force · 2022-02-09 – presentas-observed

(Def)_______________ has decided to represent [him][her]self in this trial and not to use the services of an attorney. [He][She] has a constitutional right to do that. [His][Her] decision has no bearing on whether [he][she] is guilty or not guilty, and it must not affect your consideration of the case.

Because (Def)_______________ has decided to act as [his][her] own attorney, you will hear [him][her] speak at various times during the trial. [He][She] may make an opening statement and closing argument. [He][She] may ask questions of witnesses, make objections, and argue to the court. When (Def)_______________ speaks in these parts of the trial [he][she] is acting as an attorney in the case, and [his][her] words are not evidence. The only evidence in this case comes from witnesses who testify under oath from the witness stand and from exhibits that are admitted.

History

Vermont Model Criminal Jury Instructions CR05-321 (02/09/22). Prepared by the Vermont Model Criminal Jury Instructions committee; published on vtjuryinstructions.org, sponsored by the Vermont Bar Association. The committee states that the instructions have not been approved by the Vermont Supreme Court.

Provenance

Source: vtjuryinstructions.org
Retrieved: 2026-09-25
Edition: 2026-09-25
Content hash: c4e09766be6455c842dfe0e10c8b238f0b388ccde778a3e0c4fa55d6841e5867

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