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Welcome to the Vermont Model Criminal Jury Instructions. The instructions are sponsored by the Vermont Bar Association.
Use the drop-down menus above or the search function below to find individual instructions and the accompanying reporter's notes.
In addition, clicking on the menu headers above will show a table of contents for that section, and there is also a master table of contents available. Long-time users of the instructions will find the master table of contents to be in the familiar format.
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You may search for an instruction by using the name of the crime (e.g., kidnapping) or by using the statutory citation (e.g., 13 V.S.A. 2405 or, more simply, 2405). Note that the search software is simply reading the text on each page, and thus doesn't recognize "VSA" without the periods.
Author Archives: Michael Csere
State v. Phillips: Unanimity and Special Verdict Forms
July 12, 2024: The Committee has added a citation to State v. Phillips, 2024 VT 10, ¶ 16 in the reporter’s notes here, here, and here.
Diminished Capacity and Intoxication
July 8, 2024: The Committee has added a citation to State v. Taylor, 2023 VT 60, ¶¶ 9–19 to the reporter’s note for diminished capacity and intoxication.
Insanity
June 10, 2024: The Committee has revised the instruction and reporter’s note for the insanity defense to better track the statutory language.
Domestic Terrorism
June 10, 2024: The Committee has added a new instruction and reporter’s note for the crime of domestic terrorism, 13 V.S.A. § 3521, available here.
Old Versions of Model Instructions
February 12, 2024: Please note that the Committee maintains an archive of old, outdated model instructions, but that this archive is not available on the website. If you need an old version of a model instruction, please email the Committee … Continue reading
Hate Crimes
December 6, 2023: The Committee has revised the hate crime model instruction to reflect a 2021 statutory amendment. See 2021, No. 34, § 1 (eff. May 18, 2021).
Excessive Speed
October 23, 2023: The Committee has added a new instruction for the crime of excessive speed. The instruction can be accessed via the Title 23 drop-down menu.
Evidence of Flight
September 25, 2023: The Committee has updated the reporter’s note for evidence of flight to include a citation to State v. Murphy, 2023 VT 8, ¶¶ 20–26.
Burglary
September 25, 2023: The Committee has revised the burglary reporter’s note to cite two additional cases: State v. Jones, 2011 VT 90, ¶ 13, 190 Vt. 586 and State v. Lampman, 2017 VT 114, ¶ 15, 206 Vt. 323.
Definition of “motor vehicle”
May 24, 2023: The Committee has modified the instructions for several Title 23 motor vehicle crimes to reflect the current statutory definition of “motor vehicle.” See 23 V.S.A. §§ 4(21), 1200(6); see also 2001, No. 91 (Adj. Sess.), § 3; 2001, … Continue reading