PATTERN CRIMINAL JURY
INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE DISTRICT COURTS OF THE FIRST CIRCUIT – 1998
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PREFACE
At the First Circuit Judicial Conference on October 1, 1997, the assembled federal judges voted to approve the publication of these pattern instructions. Although we believe that the pattern instructions and, in particular, the commentary that accompanies them will be helpful in crafting a jury charge in a particular case, it bears emphasis that no district judge is required to use the pattern instructions, and that the Court of Appeals has not in any way approved the use of a particular instruction.
It is our hope to keep these pattern instructions updated as the law develops. As a result, we welcome any suggested modifications or improvements. In addition, we invite the submission of pattern charges for any other commonly charged crimes in the First Circuit.
Particular thanks are due to Professor Melvyn Zarr of the University of Maine School of Law and John Ciraldo of Perkins, Thompson, Hinckley & Keddy who co-chaired the drafting committee, as well as to each of the members of that committee who worked diligently to produce these pattern instructions.
D. Brock Hornby
United States Chief District Judge
District of Maine