Judge's Charge

A judge’s charge is the set of instructions the judge gives to the jury before they begin deliberating on a case. It explains the law relevant to the case, how to interpret the evidence, and the standards they need to meet to reach a verdict. The purpose is to ensure the jury understands their legal responsibilities and the elements they must consider before deciding if someone is guilty or not. Essentially, it guides the jury through applying the law to the facts they have heard during the trial.