Flawed Jury Instructions Could Spell Appeal!

Have you received an unfavorable jury verdict in West Palm Beach   probate court? Did you know that an appellate court could review the jury instructions for errors regarding the law? Check out what the Third District Court of Appeals had to say in a criminal case where the jury was left with less than accurate jury instructions.

Jury Instructions

• Do you know the different role that judges and juries play?
• A judge decides matters of law.
• A jury decides matters of fact.
• Was the light red or green?
• That is a question for a jury.
• Was the defendant exerting undue influence?
• That sounds like a question for a judge.
• How does the jury know what to decide?
• Before a will contest in West Palm Beach is taken into jury deliberations the jury is charged with a set of jury instructions.
• These explain the law and the juror’s duties to them.
• Failure to offer proper jury instructions then could taint an entire case.
• Do you see how?

Figueroa v. the State of Florida

• The Third District Court of Appeals handles appeals matters for Miami-Dade County, including criminal matters.
• The Court filed its opinion in the case of Figueroa v. State of Florida today May 27, 2015.
• The Court remanded to the trial court the murder case of the defendant stating that they jury had been charged with improper, outdated instructions.
• Experienced Palm Beach probate litigators know that sometimes mistakes are made and that old outdated jury instructions may get thrown into the mix.
• If you see error though time is of the essence you may have as little as 28 days to file a motion for a new trial.

Want to learn more?

Check out the entire case by clicking here.