Definitions for "Jury instructions"
The guidelines given by the judge at the beginning and end of a trial that explain what the law in the case is and how the jurors should evaluate the evidence.(See also admonition to jury, instructions to jury.)
Jury instructions tell the jury what the laws are that govern a particular case. Jury instructions include defining the elements of the charge offense defining the burden of proof. Each attorney gives the judge a set of proposed jury instructions. The judge considers each instruction and gives the ones that properly states the law that applies to the case. The jurors must accept and follow the law as instructed by the judge.
The judge reads instructions to the jury. These instructions explain the law which the jury must apply to the case.