purpose of any jury instruction (Virginia) · Go Syfert
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purpose of any jury instruction in Virginia

15 Virginia opinions name it 1 courts 1997–2026 3 in the last five years

The cases below were cited by Virginia courts in a sentence that names this issue. Sides come from how each citing opinion treated the case (Syfertize flag on that citation), so a case can appear on both: that is where the law is contested. A red or yellow chip is the case's own overall treatment.

Followed or applied (13)

CaseFollowedCited
Keen v. Commonwealthgreen
vactapp · 1997 · cited in 10 Virginia opinions naming this issue, 2005–2025
2 sentences

2025Deadly Weapon Jury Instruction “The purpose of any jury instruction is to inform the jury of the law guiding their deliberations and verdict.” Morgan v. Commonwealth, 50 Va. App. 120, 132 (2007) (quoting Keen v. Commonwealth, 24 Va. App. 795, 807 (1997)).

2024“The purpose of any jury instruction is to inform the jury of the law guiding their deliberations and verdict.” Keen v. Commonwealth, 24 Va. App. 795, 807 (1997).

910
Morgan v. Commonwealthgreen
vactapp · 2007 · cited in 9 Virginia opinions naming this issue, 2007–2026
2 sentences

2026“The purpose of any jury instruction is to inform the jury of the law guiding the[] deliberations and verdict.” Holloman v. Commonwealth, 65 Va. App. 147, 174 (2015) (quoting Morgan v. Commonwealth, 50 Va. App. 120, 132 (2007)).

2025Deadly Weapon Jury Instruction “The purpose of any jury instruction is to inform the jury of the law guiding their deliberations and verdict.” Morgan v. Commonwealth, 50 Va. App. 120, 132 (2007) (quoting Keen v. Commonwealth, 24 Va. App. 795, 807 (1997)).

69
Hilton v. Commonwealthgreen
va · 2017 · cited in 3 Virginia opinions naming this issue, 2018–2024
2 sentences

2024Whether to give or deny jury instructions “rest[s] in the sound discretion of the trial court.” Hilton v. Commonwealth, 293 Va. 293, 302 (2017) (alteration in original).

2018Whether to give or deny jury instructions “rest[s] in the sound discretion of the trial court.” Hilton v. Commonwealth, 293 Va. 293, 302 , 797 S.E.2d 781, 786 (2017).

33
Shaikh v. Johnsongreen
va · 2008 · cited in 2 Virginia opinions naming this issue, 2015–2015
2 sentences

2015The burden is on the proponent of the instruction “to satisfy the trial court that the proposed language is a correct statement of the law, applicable to the facts of the case on trial, and expressed in appropriate language.” Shaikh v. Johnson, 276 Va. 537, 546 , 666 S.E.2d 325, 329 (2008).

2015The burden is on the proponent of the instruction “to satisfy the trial court that the proposed language is a correct statement of the law, applicable to the facts of the case on trial, and expressed in appropriate language.” Shaikh v. Johnson, 276 Va. 537, 546 , 666 S.E.2d 325, 329 (2008).

22
Cooper v. Commonwealthgreen
vactapp · 1986 · cited in 2 Virginia opinions naming this issue, 1997–2007
2 sentences

2007“The purpose of any jury instruction is to inform the jury of the law guiding their deliberations and verdict.” Keen v. Commonwealth, 24 Va.App. 795, 807 , 485 S.E.2d 659, 665 (1997) (citing Cooper v. Commonwealth, 2 Va.App. 497 , 345 S.E.2d 775 (1986)).

2007“The purpose of any jury instruction is to inform the jury of the law guiding their deliberations and verdict.” Keen v. Commonwealth, 24 Va.App. 795, 807 , 485 S.E.2d 659, 665 (1997) (citing Cooper v. Commonwealth, 2 Va.App. 497 , 345 S.E.2d 775 (1986)).

12
Mouberry v. Commonwealthgreen
vactapp · 2003 · cited in 1 Virginia opinions naming this issue, 2026–2026
1 sentence

2026To this end, “[n]o instruction should be given that ‘. . . would be confusing or misleading to the jury.’” Bryant v. Commonwealth, 67 Va. App. 569, 582 (2017) (first alteration in original) (quoting Mouberry v. Commonwealth, 39 Va. App. 576, 582 (2003)), aff’d, 295 Va. 302 (2018).

11
Tina Marie Bryant v. Commonwealth of Virginiagreen
vactapp · 2017 · cited in 1 Virginia opinions naming this issue, 2026–2026
1 sentence

2026To this end, “[n]o instruction should be given that ‘. . . would be confusing or misleading to the jury.’” Bryant v. Commonwealth, 67 Va. App. 569, 582 (2017) (first alteration in original) (quoting Mouberry v. Commonwealth, 39 Va. App. 576, 582 (2003)), aff’d, 295 Va. 302 (2018).

11
Shavis Donta Holloman v. Commonwealth of Virginiagreen
vactapp · 2015 · cited in 1 Virginia opinions naming this issue, 2026–2026
1 sentence

2026“The purpose of any jury instruction is to inform the jury of the law guiding the[] deliberations and verdict.” Holloman v. Commonwealth, 65 Va. App. 147, 174 (2015) (quoting Morgan v. Commonwealth, 50 Va. App. 120, 132 (2007)).

11
Darnell v. Commonwealthgreen
vactapp · 1988 · cited in 1 Virginia opinions naming this issue, 2025–2025
1 sentence

2025“A reviewing court’s responsibility in reviewing jury instructions is ‘to see that the law has been clearly stated and that the instructions cover all issues which the evidence fairly raises.’” Fahringer v. Commonwealth, 70 Va. App. 208, 211 (2019) (quoting Darnell v. Commonwealth, 6 Va. App. 485, 488 (1988)).

11
Justin Godfrey Fahringer v. Commonwealth of Virginiagreen
vactapp · 2019 · cited in 1 Virginia opinions naming this issue, 2025–2025
1 sentence

2025“A reviewing court’s responsibility in reviewing jury instructions is ‘to see that the law has been clearly stated and that the instructions cover all issues which the evidence fairly raises.’” Fahringer v. Commonwealth, 70 Va. App. 208, 211 (2019) (quoting Darnell v. Commonwealth, 6 Va. App. 485, 488 (1988)).

11
Chapman v. Commonwealthgreen
vactapp · 2010 · cited in 1 Virginia opinions naming this issue, 2016–2016
2 sentences

2016See generally Chapman v. Commonwealth, 56 Va.App. 725, 735-36 , 697 S.E.2d 20, 26 (2010) (explaining that jury instructions are to be considered in conjunction with the related evidence); Morgan, 50 Va.App. at 132 , 646 S.E .2d at 905 (“The purpose of any jury instruction is to inform the jury of the law guiding their deliberations and verdict.” (quoting Keen v. Commonwealth, 24 Va.App. 795, 807 , 485 S.E.2d 659, 665 (1997))).

2016See generally Chapman v. Commonwealth, 56 Va.App. 725, 735-36 , 697 S.E.2d 20, 26 (2010) (explaining that jury instructions are to be considered in conjunction with the related evidence); Morgan, 50 Va.App. at 132 , 646 S.E .2d at 905 (“The purpose of any jury instruction is to inform the jury of the law guiding their deliberations and verdict.” (quoting Keen v. Commonwealth, 24 Va.App. 795, 807 , 485 S.E.2d 659, 665 (1997))).

11
Gaines v. Commonwealthgreen
vactapp · 2003 · cited in 1 Virginia opinions naming this issue, 2007–2007
2 sentences

2007“The trial judge has broad discretion in giving or denying instructions requested.” Gaines v. Com *133 monwealth, 39 Va.App. 562, 568 , 574 S.E.2d 775, 778 (2003) (en banc).

2007“The trial judge has broad discretion in giving or denying instructions requested.” Gaines v. Com *133 monwealth, 39 Va.App. 562, 568 , 574 S.E.2d 775, 778 (2003) (en banc).

11
Davis v. Commonwealthgreen
vactapp · 1994 · cited in 1 Virginia opinions naming this issue, 2005–2005
2 sentences

2005“A proposed jury instruction submitted by a party, which constitutes an accurate -3- statement of the law applicable to the case, shall not be withheld from the jury solely for its nonconformance with model jury instructions.” Code § 19.2-263.2 (emphasis added); see Davis v. Commonwealth, 17 Va. App. 666, 673 , 440 S.E.2d 426, 431 (1994).

2005“A proposed jury instruction submitted by a party, which constitutes an accurate -3- statement of the law applicable to the case, shall not be withheld from the jury solely for its nonconformance with model jury instructions.” Code § 19.2-263.2 (emphasis added); see Davis v. Commonwealth, 17 Va. App. 666, 673 , 440 S.E.2d 426, 431 (1994).

11

Distinguished, questioned or overruled (0)

CaseNegativeCited
No negative-treatment citations attached to this issue in Virginia. Read the followed side critically anyway.

Also cited on this issue (3)

CaseCitedYears
Greenfield v. Commonwealth green
va · 1974
2 sentences

2018The Supreme Court has stated, “Where not self-induced, unconsciousness is a complete defense to a criminal homicide.” Riley, 277 Va. at 479 , 675 S.E.2d at 175 (quoting Greenfield, 214 Va. at 714 , 204 S.E.2d at 417 ).

2018The Supreme Court has stated, “Where not self-induced, unconsciousness is a complete defense to a criminal homicide.” Riley, 277 Va. at 479 , 675 S.E.2d at 175 (quoting Greenfield, 214 Va. at 714 , 204 S.E.2d at 417 ).

22018–2018
Riley v. Com. green
va · 2009
2 sentences

2018The Supreme Court has stated, “Where not self-induced, unconsciousness is a complete defense to a criminal homicide.” Riley, 277 Va. at 479 , 675 S.E.2d at 175 (quoting Greenfield, 214 Va. at 714 , 204 S.E.2d at 417 ).

2018The Supreme Court has stated, “Where not self-induced, unconsciousness is a complete defense to a criminal homicide.” Riley, 277 Va. at 479 , 675 S.E.2d at 175 (quoting Greenfield, 214 Va. at 714 , 204 S.E.2d at 417 ).

22018–2018
Bryant v. Commonwealth green
va · 2018
1 sentence

2026To this end, “[n]o instruction should be given that ‘. . . would be confusing or misleading to the jury.’” Bryant v. Commonwealth, 67 Va. App. 569, 582 (2017) (first alteration in original) (quoting Mouberry v. Commonwealth, 39 Va. App. 576, 582 (2003)), aff’d, 295 Va. 302 (2018).

12026–2026

Statutes the citing opinions construe

VA § Va. Code Ann. § 17.1-413 (6) VA § Va. Code Ann. § 8.01-678 (4) VA § Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-53.1 (3)

Counted by distinct opinions that both name this issue and are annotated to the section; sections every opinion cites regardless of issue are not filtered here, so read the counts against the total above.

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