Model Criminal Jury Instructions
Michigan Supreme Court
We are pleased to provide an electronic copy of the criminal jury instructions presently in use for criminal trials. On January 1, 2014, by Administrative Order 2013-13, the Michigan Supreme Court created the Committee on Model Criminal Jury Instructions. The committee is composed of attorneys and judges whose duty it is to ensure that the criminal jury instructions accurately inform jurors about the legal process in which they will participate and the law that they are to apply in an understandable, conversational, and unbiased manner. The Committee has authority to amend or repeal existing instructions and to adopt new instructions. Although the instructions do not have the force and effect of a court rule, their use is required by MCR 2.512(D) unless the court determines that an instruction does not accurately reflect the state of the law, or circumstances of the case require a variance or additional instructions.
The members of the committee are:
Chair Hon. Michael C. Brown Reporter Christopher M. Smith Members Elizabeth Allen Hon. Keith Edward Black Hon. Terry L. Clark Hon. Bradley L. Cobb Lisa Coyle Stephanie E. Farkas Michael G. Frezza Hon. Cheryl A. Matthews Michael J. McCarthy Michael L. Mittlestat | Karl Numinen Thomas Rombach Jerome Sabbota Amanda Morris Smith Hon. Paul Stutesman Sara M. Swanson Imran J. Syed Brenda Taylor Michael A. Tesner Hon. Margaret Van Houten |