What are jury instructions?

Jury instructions are guidelines provided by the judge that outline the applicable law relevant to the case being tried. These instructions are crucial because they inform jurors about the legal standards they must use when evaluating the evidence presented during the trial and deciding on a verdict.

The instructions cover aspects such as the elements of the crimes charged, the legal definitions of those elements, and the burden of proof. This enables the jury to understand their role and responsibilities in applying the law to the facts they have learned throughout the trial.

The other options refer to different aspects of the trial process. Outlining the trial process does not necessarily provide the legal context jurors need, while information from the prosecutor pertains to argumentation rather than legal standards. Steps for deliberation speak to the procedural conduct of the jury rather than the substantive legal guidance necessary for their decision-making.