Final Arguments & the Judge's Charge to the Jury

After the conclusion of the presentation of the evidence, the parties summarize their positions in final arguments. Jurors should understand that these final arguments are not evidence. The judge then charges or instructs the jury as to the question or questions the jury is to decide and the law that must be applied to the evidence presented. The judge also instructs the jury as to the form the verdict must take. Jurors should pay close attention to the judge’s charge.