The MSBA is pleased to announce that Maryland Pattern Criminal Jury Instructions, Third Edition is now available for presale purchase. Prepared by a group of some of the state’s most distinguished judges and lawyers, this fully updated and thoroughly revised edition offers over 200 comprehensive jury instructions accompanied by detailed comments that explain the underlying constitutional, statutory, and case law that form the basis of each instruction.
The Third Edition reflects significant updates designed to make Maryland Pattern Criminal Jury Instructions a more comprehensive and user-friendly resource for attorneys and judges. The Committee introduced new instructions and modified existing ones to reflect recent changes in the law, so that all of the instructions are accurate and relevant. Furthermore, the instructions were revised to ensure their format is consistent, making them easier for jurors to comprehend.
Jury instructions are crucial in ensuring a fair and just trial for all parties involved in the criminal process, as they provide jurors with explanations of legal principles, elements of offenses, burdens of proof, and other important considerations. Recognizing the need for clear and consistent instructions, the Maryland Pattern Criminal Jury Instructions Committee published the First Edition of Maryland Criminal Pattern Jury Instructions in 1991, and released the Second Edition in 2012. The Committee began working on the Third Edition in 2021. It is current through March 2024.
In addition to instructions on specific criminal offenses, Maryland Pattern Criminal Jury Instructions, includes introductory and cautionary instructions, general instructions, evidentiary instructions, as well as instructions regarding defenses, parties involved, and verdict sheets.
As with prior versions, the instructions in the Third Edition are drafted in plain language, so that they can be easily understood by jurors. The organizational structure of the Third Edition is consistent with prior editions, making it easy to compare the old and new instructions. The Third Edition maintains the practice convention of using brackets to denote alternative prosecution theories, emphasizing that only theories supported by evidence should be used. Downloadable instructions are also available, for added convenience.
Pre-purchase your copy today at https://www.msba.org/product/md-crim-pattern-jury-inst-3rd-ed/.
Orders will begin shipping in April 2024.