Library Highlights: civil jury instructions

Showing posts with label civil jury instructions. Show all posts

March 31, 2025

New Jury Instructions Released

March brings updates to all three of the sets of Wisconsin jury instructions. The Wisconsin Jury Instructions are created and edited by the Wisconsin Jury Instructions Committees of the Wisconsin Judicial Conference.

These releases include:

Children’s Jury Instruction updates with one new instruction, and eight revised instructions. This set was last updated in July 2024.

Civil Jury Instruction updates with two new instructions, a renumbered and revised instruction, and sixteen revised instructions. This set was last updated in July 2024.

Criminal Jury Instruction updates with one new instruction, a renumbered and revised instruction, and 15 revised instructions. This set was last updated in December 2024.

The printable releases for each set of instructions can be downloaded at any time from the “Update releases” pages for each set.

Blank pages have been inserted to make double sided printing easier. File new, updated, and revised instructions, along with the updated table and index in your print set. Complete printable files of each instruction set and finding aids are also available for those who need to print a complete set. Download them at https://wilawlibrary.gov/jury/

For information on the status of the Committee's work, please contact Bryce Pierson at bryce.pierson@wicourts.gov.

January 26, 2024

New jury instruction releases for January 2024

The January 2024 releases of the Children’s, Civil, and Criminal jury instructions are now available at https://wilawlibrary.gov/jury/. The Wisconsin Jury Instructions are created and edited by the Wisconsin Jury Instructions Committees of the Wisconsin Judicial Conference.

The Children’s instructions feature new and updated instructions for 2024. This set was last updated in January 2023.

The Civil instructions feature new and updated instructions for January 2024. This set was last updated in July 2023.

The Criminal instructions feature new and updated instructions, as well as two renumbered instructions, for January 2024. This set was last updated in July 2023.

The printable releases can be downloaded at any time from the “Update releases” page for each set. https://wilawlibrary.gov/jury/

Blank pages have been inserted to make double sided printing easier. File new, updated, and revised instructions, along with the updated tables and index in your print set. Complete printable files of each instruction set and finding aids are also available for those who need to print a complete set. Download them at https://wilawlibrary.gov/jury

For information on the status of the Committee's work, please contact Bryce Pierson at bryce.pierson@wicourts.gov.

July 14, 2023

New Civil and Criminal Jury Instructions July 2023

The July 2023 release of the Civil and Criminal jury instructions are now available at https://wilawlibrary.gov/jury

Civil jury instruction updates include the following instructions. Download release 55 to update your print sets.

NEW 430 A party's presence not required at trial
1090 Driver on Arterial Approaching Intersection: Lookout; Right of Way; Flashing Yellow Signal
1153 Right of Way: At Intersection with Through Highway
1155 Right of Way: At Intersections of Highways
1157 Right of Way: At Intersection of Highways: Ultimate Verdict Question
1158 Right of Way: To Pedestrian Crossing at Controlled Intersection
1160 Right of Way: To Pedestrian at Intersections or Crosswalks on Divided Highways or Highways Provided with Safety Zones
1165 Right of Way: To Pedestrian at Uncontrolled Intersection or Crosswalk
1190 Right of Way: Green Signal
1191 Duty of Driver Entering Intersection with Green Light in Driver's Favor: Lookout
1192 Duty of Driver Approaching Intersection When Amber Light Shows
1195 Right of Way: Left Turn at Intersection
1225 Right of Way: Pedestrian's Duty: Crossing at Controlled Intersection or Crosswalk
1354 Turn or Movement: Ascertainment that Turn or Movement Can Be Made with Reasonable Safety: Lookout
3028 Contracts Implied in Law (Unjust Enrichment)
8060 Adverse Possession Not Founded on Written Instrument (Wis. Stat. § 893.25)

Criminal jury instruction updates include the following instructions. Download release 62 to update your print sets.

NEW 791 Coercion: Trafficking: Defense for a victim of § 940.302(2) or 948.051 - § 939.46(1m)
NEW 791 Example Coercion: Trafficking: Defense for a victim of § 940.302(2) or 948.051 - § 939.46(1m)
600 Introductory Comment: Not Guilty by Reason of Mental Disease or Defect: Instructions for the "Bifurcated" Trial and Reexamination
700 Law Note: Theory of Defense Instructions
800 Privilege: Self-Defense: Force Less Than That Likely to Cause Death or Great Bodily Harm
801 Privilege: Self-Defense: Force Less Than That Likely to Cause Death or Great Bodily Harm: Crimes Involving Recklessness or Negligence
805 Privilege: Self-Defense: Force Intended or Likely to Cause Death or Great Bodily Harm
805A Law Note: Self-defense under § 939.48(1m)
820 Privilege: Self-Defense: Injury to Third Party Charged as Reckless or Negligent Crime
821 Privilege: Self-Defense: Unintended Harm to Third Party Charged as Intentional Crime
950 Privilege: Discipline by a Person Responsible for the Welfare of a Child
1021 First Degree Reckless Homicide
2114A Example Repeated Acts of Physical Abuse of a Child
2666A Operating a Motor Vehicle While Under the Influence of any Combination of an Intoxicant and any other Drug to a Degree that Renders Him or Her Incapable of Safely Driving
SM-16 Collateral Attack on Prior Convictions
SM-50 Competency to Proceed

Blank pages have been inserted to make double sided printing easier. File new and updated instructions, along with the updated statutory comparative table and index in your print set. Complete printable files of each instruction set and finding aids are also available for those who need to print a complete set. Download them at https://wilawlibrary.gov/jury

For information on the status of the Committee's work, please contact Bryce Pierson at bryce.pierson@wicourts.gov.

March 14, 2022

Wisconsin Civil Jury Instructions 2022 Update

The most recent supplement to the Wisconsin Civil Jury Instructions has been approved by the Wisconsin Judicial Conference's Civil Jury Instructions Committee. The fifty-third supplement to this publication includes fifty-three new and updated instructions for the set. These updates reflect legislative actions and judicial decisions through January 21, 2022.

For information on the Committee’s work, please contact Bryce Pierson at bryce.pierson@wicourts.gov.

New instructions include

1393 Liability of a participant in a recreational activity
3079 Termination of easement by abandonment
7050A Involuntary Commitment: Mentally Ill: Recommitment Alleging Wis. Stat. 51.20(1)(am)(Released in late 2021 as an interim release)

Amended instructions include

50 Preliminary Instruction: Before Trial
400 Spoliation: Inference
1008 Intoxication: Chemical Test Results [Reflects Changes in 2003 Wisconsin Act 30]
1023 Medical Negligence
1023.5 Professional Negligence: Legal-Status of Lawyer as a Specialist is Not in Dispute
1153 Right of Way: At Intersection with Through Highway
1155 Right of Way: At Intersections of Highways
1157 Right of Way: At Intersection of Highways: Ultimate Verdict Question
1158 Right of Way: To Pedestrian Crossing at Controlled Intersection (
1159 Right of Way: Pedestrian Control Signal: Walk Signal
1160 Right of Way: To Pedestrian at Intersections or Crosswalks on Divided Highways or Highways Provided with Safety Zones
1165 Right of Way: To Pedestrian at Uncontrolled Intersection or Crosswalk
1170 Right of Way: Blind Pedestrian on Highway
1175 Right of Way: Entering Highway from an Alley or Nonhighway Access Point
1180 Right of Way: Funeral Processions; Military Convoys
1185 Right of Way: Green Arrow
1190 Right of Way: Green Signal
1190.5 Plaintiff and Defendant Each Claims Green Light in Their Favor
1191 Duty of Driver Entering Intersection with Green Light in Driver's Favor: Lookout
1192 Duty of Driver Approaching Intersection When Amber Light Shows
1193 Red Traffic Control Light Signaling Stop
1193.5 Flashing Red Traffic Control Light
1195 Right of Way: Left Turn at Intersection
1205 Right of Way: Moving from Parked Position
1210 Right of Way: On Approach of Emergency Vehicle
1220 Right of Way: Pedestrian's Duty: At Pedestrian Control Signal
1225 Right of Way: Pedestrian's Duty: Crossing at Controlled Intersection or Crosswalk
1230 Right of Way: Pedestrian's Duty: Crossing Roadway at Point Other than Crosswalk
1235 Right of Way: Pedestrian's Duty: Divided Highways or Highways with Safety Zones
1240 Right of Way: Pedestrian's Duty: Facing Green Arrow
1245 Right of Way: Pedestrian's Duty: Facing Red Signal
1250 Right of Way: Pedestrian's Duty: Standing or Loitering on Highway
1255 Right of Way: Pedestrian's Duty: Standing or Loitering on Highway Crosswalk; Suddenly Leaving Curb or Place of Safety
1260 Position on Highway: Pedestrian's Duty; Walking on Highway
1265 Right of Way: Persons Working on Highway
1270 Right of Way: When Vehicle Using Alley or Nonhighway Access to Stop
1275 Right of Way: When Yield Sign Installed
1762 Personal Injuries: Future Loss of Earning Capacity
1900.4 Safe-Place Statute: Injury to Frequenter: Negligence of Employer or Owner of a Place of Employment
2600 Malicious Prosecution: Instituting a Criminal Proceeding
2605 Malicious Prosecution: Instituting a Civil Proceeding
2770 Wisconsin Fair Dealership Law: Good Cause for Termination, Cancellation, Nonrenewal, Failure to Renew, or Substantial Change in Competitive Circumstances (Wis. Stat. § 135.03)
2790 Trade Name Infringement
3028 Contracts Implied in Law (Unjust Enrichment)
3110 Insurance Contract: Definition of "Resident" or "Member of a Household"
7050 Involuntary Commitment: Mentally Ill
8025 Trespass: Owner's Duty to Trespasser; Duty to Child Trespasser (Attractive Nuisance)
8060 Adverse Possession Not Founded on Written Instrument (Wis. Stat. § 893.25)
8100 Eminent Domain: Fair Market Value (Total Taking)
8120 Eminent Domain: Comparable Sales Approach

The Library partners with the Office of Judicial Education to provide free access to the Wisconsin Jury Instructions on our website. While updated instructions can be downloaded at any time from our website, many readers may wish to keep their print sets up-to-date. To do so, download and print the fifty-third release. Blank pages have been inserted to make double sided printing easier. File new and updated instructions, along with the updated table of cases and index in your print set. A complete, printable file of all the current Civil Jury Instructions and finding aids is also available.

April 5, 2021

Civil Jury Instructions Updated for 2021

The Wisconsin Civil Jury Instructions have recently been updated, with a 2021 release approved by the Wisconsin Judicial Conference’s Civil Jury Instructions Committee. The fifty-second supplement to the Civil Jury Instructions updates the publication on legislative actions and judicial decisions through January 21, 2021.

The update includes revisions of ten existing jury instructions, as well as one new instruction. New to the set is:

JI-Civil 358 Subsequent remedial measures.

The following instructions have been updated:

Earlier this year the Library partnered with the Office of Judicial Education to debut free access to the Wisconsin Jury Instructions on our website. While updated instructions can be downloaded at any time from our website, many readers may wish to keep their print sets up-to-date. Updating an existing set of print instructions works just as it has in prior years.

Download and print the fifty-second release. Blank pages have been inserted to make double sided printing easier. File new and updated instructions, along with the updated table of cases and index in your print set. A complete, printable file of all the current Civil Jury Instructions and finding aids is also available.

For information on the status of the Committee's work, please contact Bryce Pierson at bryce.pierson@wicourts.gov.

Wisconsin State Law Library