The jury charge is the questions, instructions, and definitions given to the jury by the court (judge) in a lawsuit to resolve the dispute between the parties. The jury’s answers to the questions in the jury charge determines the outcome of the lawsuit (the jury verdict), and is ultimately reflected in the court’s judgment (the statement of the relief granted in the lawsuit—generally who owes who money).
In Texas, the jury charge plays a crucial role in the trial process. It consists of the questions the jury must answer, the instructions they must follow, and the definitions they must understand to deliberate properly. The judge provides the jury charge after the presentation of evidence and closing arguments, but before jury deliberations begin. The charge guides the jury in applying the law to the facts of the case. The jury's answers to the charge questions form the basis of their verdict, which determines the outcome of the lawsuit. The verdict is then reflected in the court's judgment, which details the relief granted, such as monetary damages or injunctive relief. Texas law requires that jury charges be prepared with great care to ensure they are clear, legally accurate, and free of bias, as they directly influence the jury's decision-making process. The Texas Rules of Civil Procedure, particularly Rule 277, govern the preparation and delivery of the jury charge in civil cases, while the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure governs jury charges in criminal cases.
