§ Rule 51 Instructions to Jury
Rule 51. Instructions to Jury
(a) Pre-instruction. Prior to the presentation of evidence, the court may pre-instruct the jury on the elements of the pleaded causes of action and claimed defenses.
(b) Requests. At the close of the evidence or at such earlier time during the trial as the court reasonably directs, any party may file written requests that the court instruct the jury on the law as set forth in the requests.
(c) Settlement. When requests are filed, counsel shall be entitled to be heard thereon. The court shall inform counsel of its proposed action upon the requests prior to their arguments to the jury. Whenever the court refuses to give any requested instruction, the court shall write the word “refused” in the margin thereof. Whenever the court approves any requested instruction, the court shall write the word “given” in the margin thereof. Whenever the court modifies any requested instruction, the court shall mark the same in such manner that it shall distinctly appear what part is refused and what part is given. Instructions to which no objection is made shall be marked “given by agreement” and no later objection thereto may be made or allowed. Unless the court shall take action pursuant to subdivision (d) of this rule, instructions settled as above set forth shall be read to the jury.
(d) Court's Instructions. The court may revise the language of any or all of the requested instructions which are approved by the court in whole or in part pursuant to subdivision (c) of this rule and of any or all of the requested instructions to which no objection is made, and may combine such instructions, with or without any additional instructions which the court shall deem appropriate, in such manner as the court believes will eliminate repetition and will afford to the jury an adequate and understandable charge. If no written requests for instructions are filed the court shall prepare its own instructions. Any revision made and any instructions prepared by the court pursuant to the foregoing provisions shall be reduced by the court to writing, and counsel shall be entitled to be heard thereon. The court shall inform counsel of its proposed action with respect to any such revision made or instructions prepared by the court, and any changes therein made by the court shall be reduced to writing and submitted to counsel prior to their arguments to the jury. Instructions settled as above set forth shall be read to the jury.
(e) Oral Comment. The court shall in no case orally qualify, modify or explain to the jury any instruction, whether settled pursuant to subdivision (c) or pursuant to subdivision (d) of this rule. If, during deliberation on its verdict, the jury shall request further instructions, the court may further instruct the jury in accordance with instructions prepared by the court and reduced to writing, first submitting the same to counsel.
(f) Instructions and Objections. Except upon good cause articulated by the court, the court shall instruct the jury before the arguments are begun and shall provide to each juror, including alternates, a copy of the jury instructions, to follow along as instructions are read. The court's good cause findings need not be written, but must be articulated clearly in a reported proceeding. The court may, as it deems necessary or appropriate, give additional instructions after arguments are concluded and before the jury retires. No party may assign as error the giving or the refusal to give, or the modification of, an instruction, whether settled pursuant to subdivision (c) or subdivision (d), of this rule, unless the party objects thereto before the jury retires to consider its verdict, stating distinctly the matter to which the party objects and the grounds of the objection. Opportunity shall be given to make the objection out of the hearing of the jury.