-
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.
Search for an Instruction:
-
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
Homicide
May 1, 2016: The Committee has revised the instructions and Reporter’s Notes for Homicide in light of State v. Congress, 2014 VT 129, 198 Vt. 241.
Disorderly Conduct and Aggravated Disorderly Conduct
April 1, 2016: The Committee has posted instructions and a Reporter’s Note for the new crime of Aggravated Disorderly Conduct under 13 V.S.A. § 1026a. The Committee has also made minor revisions to the Disorderly Conduct (13 V.S.A. § 1026) instructions, … Continue reading
Endeavoring to Obstruct Justice, Assault and Robbery, and DUI Phase II Enhancement
January 10, 2016: The Committee has posted new or revised Reporter’s Notes for Endeavoring to Obstruct Justice (CR28-503), Assault and Robbery (CR21-011 through CR21-071), and DUI: Second Offense, Phase II Proceeding (CR30-171).
Diminished Capacity and Intoxication
January 10, 2016: The Committee has revised the Reporter’s Note for Diminished Capacity and Intoxication in light of State v. Congress, 2014 VT 129. January 20, 2016: The Committee has posted revised instructions for Diminished Capacity and Intoxication: CR07-153, CR07-156, … Continue reading
Disturbing the Peace by Telephone
October 1, 2015: The Committee has revised the instruction for Disturbing the Peace by Telephone (CR22-201) to eliminate the word “anonymous,” as reflected in a recent legislative enactment. See 2013, Adj. Sess., No. 150, § 5, eff. July 1, 2014.
Lewdness
October 1, 2015: The Reporter’s Note for “lewdness” under 13 V.S.A. § 2632(a)(8) has been revised.
Accessory After the Fact
July 31, 2015: A new instruction has been added for the crime of “Accessory After the Fact” (13 V.S.A. § 5). September 29, 2015: A Reporter’s Note has been added to accompany the above instruction.
“Serious Bodily Injury” and “Strangulation”
June 15, 2015: Several instructions as well as the definitions page have been updated to reflect that in the assault context, “serious bodily injury” by definition includes strangulation. See 13 V.S.A. § 1021(2). The updated instructions and reporter’s notes can … Continue reading