Jury Instructions

Louisiana Criminal Jury Instructions (2017) § 6:20 Justifiable homicide—Prevention of violent of forcible felony A homicide is justifiable when committed for the purpose of preventing a violent or forcible felony involving danger to life or great bodily harm by one who reasonably believes that such an offense is about to be committed and that such […]

Louisiana Criminal Jury Instructions (2017) § 6:19 Burden of proof—Self Defense A defendant who raises the defense that he acted in self-defense does not have the burden of proof on that issue. The state must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the [homicide][offense] was not committed in self-defense. Comments note that the issue of burden

Louisiana Criminal Jury Instructions (2017) § 6:18 Self-defense—Homicide A homicide is justifiable if committed in self-defense by one who reasonably believes that he [she] is in imminent danger of losing his [her] life or receiving great bodily harm and that the killing is necessary to save himself [herself] from that danger. The danger need not

Louisiana Criminal Jury Instructions (2017) § 6:17 Burden of proof—Justification defenses If you find that the defendant has raised the defense that his conduct was justified, the state must prove that the defendant’s conduct was not justified. Remember, the state bears the burden of proving the guilt of the defendant beyond a reasonable doubt. The

Louisiana Criminal Jury Instructions (2017) § 6:16 Defense of property—Persons lawfully inside a dwelling, place of business, or motor vehicle The use of force or violence upon the person of another is justifiable when committed for the purpose of preventing a forcible offense or trespass against property in a person’s lawful possession, if the force

Louisiana Criminal Jury Instructions (2017) §6:14 Self-defense: Other than homicide cases The use of force or violence upon the person of another is justifiable for the purpose of preventing a forcible offense against one’s own person if the force used is reasonable and apparently necessary to prevent the offense. [A person who is not engaged

Louisiana Criminal Jury Instructions (2017) § 6:9 Justification—Public duty The defendant’s conduct, otherwise criminal, is justified when it is an apparently authorized and reasonable fulfillment of any duties of public office. A “public office” means any executive, ministerial, administrative, judicial, or legislative office of the State of Louisiana or of any parish, municipality, district, or