M Civ JI 3.11 Jurors May Take into Account Ordinary Experience and Observations

You have a right to consider all the evidence in the light of your own general knowledge and experience in the affairs of life, and to take into account whether any particular evidence seems reasonable and probable. However, if you have personal knowledge of any particular fact in this case, that knowledge may not be used as evidence.

Comment

Because jurors have been told it is their duty to determine the facts from evidence produced in open court, M Civ JI 3.02, it is proper also to inform them that they may rely on their general intelligence and knowledge of affairs. Rajnowski v Detroit, BC & A R Co, 74 Mich 15 (1889).

History

M Civ JI 3.11 was SJI 1.04. Amended September 2007.