Arizona

Criminal Procedure

Rule 21.3 – Rulings on Instructions and Verdict Forms

(a)Conference. The court must confer with the parties before closing argument and inform them of its proposed jury instructions and verdict forms.
(b)Record of Objections. Any objection to the court’s giving or failing to give any instruction or a portion of an instruction or a form of verdict must be made before the jury retires to consider its verdict. The objection must be on the record and distinctly state the matter to which the party objects and the grounds for the objection. If a party does not make a proper objection, appellate review may be limited.
(c)Source of the Instructions. The court must not inform the jury which instructions were requested by a particular party.
(d) Jurors’ Copies. The court’s preliminary and final instructions must be in writing, and the court must furnish a copy of the instructions to each juror before the court reads them.

Ariz. R. Crim. P. 21.3

Added August 31, 2017, effective January 1, 2018.

HISTORICAL AND STATUTORY NOTES

Former Rule 21.3, relating to rulings on instructions and forms of verdict, was abrogated effective January 1, 2018.