Maryland Pattern Jury Instructions-Criminal (MPJI-Cr)

2:05 Deliberations Based Solely on Evidence

During your deliberations, you must decide this case based only on the evidence that you and your fellow jurors heard together in the courtroom.

You must not do any outside research or investigation. Do not use any outside sources such as books, electronic devices, computers or phones to do research about this case even if you believe the information would be helpful.

While you are deliberating, you cannot have in the jury room any computers, cell phones, or other electronic devices and you must not communicate with anyone outside the jury room. If there are breaks in deliberations, I may allow you to communicate with your family or friends, but do not communicate about the case or your deliberations.