Criminal Jury Charge Practice

Towards the end of trials that are often lengthy and exhausting, defence counsel and Crown prosecutors are required to provide input to the trial judge on the content of the jury charge and typically have to do so within a short time frame. This concise new publication from experienced criminal trial and appeal lawyer, Faisal Mirza, is destined to become the go-to resource to help practitioners complete this essential task as effectively as possible, offering expert insight and commentary, supported by the relevant criminal case law.

What's inside
Criminal Jury Charge Practice aims to assist criminal law practitioners, as well as judges, in validating objections and requests to remedy errors, omissions or generic instructions in the jury charge. In particular, the goal of this book is to assist counsel with identifying important issues and substantiating their requests for more tailored jury instructions, thereby enhancing the prospect of a fairer trial or stronger record for an appeal.

Each chapter of the book covers a different topic of law that frequently forms part of the jury charge. For example, the chapters succinctly review and break down advanced issues that include:

• Expert Evidence
• Credibility Cautions
• Propensity Reasoning and Bad Character
• Post Offence Conduct
• Party Liability
• Reasonable Doubt

In addition, every chapter includes easily accessible practical tips to assist counsel to formulate their position and request instructions to be included in the jury charge. There are also sections on closing submissions and juror questions. The commentary and practical tips will improve counsel's advocacy while reducing the likelihood of errors or the failure to object under the pressure of a jury trial.

A practical guide
Because it features extensive expert commentary on specific jury charge issues, Criminal Jury Charge Practice is a useful reference for defence counsel, Crown prosecutors and judges alike. Guided by this book's content, they will be able to effectively and accurately produce focused jury charges in the brief window of time permitted. The analysis included in the book will also assist counsel in preparing motion records and oral submissions for trials and appeals.