OUJI-CR 13-9

OPENING INSTRUCTION

You have been selected and sworn as the jury to determine whether [Name of Child] is a delinquent child. The State alleges in the petition in this case that [Name of Child] is a delinqent child because he/she did on or about [Date] commit the offense of [Name of Crime] against [Name of Victim].

The petition in this case is the formal method of accusing [Name of Child] of a delinquent act. The petition is not evidence and the law is that you should not allow yourselves to be influenced against [Name of Child] by reason of the filing of the petition.

[Name of Child] has denied the allegations in the petition. A denial puts in issue each element of the alleged offense with which [Name of Child] is charged, and a denial requires the State to prove each element of the alleged offense beyond a reasonable doubt.

[Name of Child] is presumed innocent of the alleged offense and the presumption continues unless after consideration of all the evidence you are convinced guilt that [Name of Child] committed the alleged offense beyond a reasonable doubt. The State has the burden of presenting the evidence that establishes that [Name of Child] committed the alleged offense beyond a reasonable doubt. [Name of Child] must be found not delinquent unless the State produces evidence which convinces you beyond a reasonable doubt of each element of the alleged offense.

Evidence is the testimony received from the witness(es) under oath, agreements as to fact made by the attorneys, and the exhibits admitted into evidence during the trial.

It is your responsibility as jurors to determine the facts from the evidence, to follow the law as stated in the instructions from the judge, and to reach a verdict of not delinquent or delinquent based upon the evidence. This is the only question for you to determine.

It is your responsibility as jurors to determine the credibility of each witness and the weight to be given the testimony of the witness. In order to make this determination, you may properly consider the overall reaction of the witness while testifying; his/her frankness or lack of frankness; his/her interest and bias, if any; the means and opportunity the witness had to know the facts about which he/she testifies; and the reasonableness or unreasonableness of his/her testimony in light of all the evidence in the case. You are not required to believe the testimony of any witness simply because he/she is under oath. You may believe or disbelieve all or part of the testimony of any witness. It is your duty to determine what testimony is worthy of belief and what testimony is not worthy of belief.

It is my responsibility as the judge to insure the evidence is presented according to the law, to instruct you as to the law, and to rule on objections raised by the attorneys. No statement or ruling by me is intended to indicate any opinion concerning the facts or evidence.

It is the responsibility of the attorneys to present evidence, to examine and cross-examine witnesses, and to argue the evidence. No statement or argument of the attorneys is evidence.

From time to time during the trial, the attorneys may raise objections. When an objection is made, you should not speculate on the reason why it is made. When an objection is approved or sustained by me, you should not speculate on what might have occurred or what might have been said had the objection not been sustained.

Throughout the trial you should remain alert and attentive. Do not form or express an opinion on the case until it is submitted to you for your decision. Do not discuss this case among yourselves until that time. Do not discuss this case with anyone else or permit anyone else to discuss this case in your presence. Do not talk to the attorneys, [Name of Child], or the witness(es). If anyone should attempt to discuss this case with you, report the incident to me or to the bailiff immediately. Do not read, or view or listen to any news report of this trial. This case must be decided solely upon the evidence presented to you in this court, free from any outside influence.

At this point in the trial, the attorney for the State reads the petition, announces the denial of [Name of Child], and presents an opening statement. The attorney for [Name of Child] may present an opening statement after the attorney for the State, or may elect to reserve his/her opening statement until the conclusion of the evidence by the State. Opening statements are not evidence but serve as guides so that you may better understand and evaluate the evidence when it is presented.

Following the opening statements, witnesses are called to testify. Witnesses are sworn and then examined and cross-examined by the attorneys. Exhibits may also be introduced into evidence.

After the evidence is completed, I will instruct you on the law applicable to the case. The attorneys are then permitted closing arguments. Closing arguments are not evidence and are permitted for purposes of persuasion only.

When closing arguments are completed, the case will be submitted to you. You will then retire to consider your verdict.

The attorney for the State may now proceed.