Arkansas

Criminal Procedure

Rule 33.6 – Instructions and Verdict Forms

(a) In the trial of all cases in courts of record wherein juries are employed, upon request of counsel for any party, or of a juror, it shall be the duty of the presiding judge to deliver to the jury immediately prior to its retirement for deliberation, a written copy of the oral instructions read to the jury. The written jury instructions shall be returned to the court by the foreman of the jury when the jury is dismissed.
(b) The verdict forms and written jury instructions shall be filed in the clerk’s case file at the conclusion of the jury’s deliberations.
(c) Any proffered jury instructions, which were requested by parties and rejected by the court, shall be delivered to the court reporter and made an exhibit to the court reporter’s transcript.

Ark. R. Crim. P. 33.6

Amended October 18, 2018 and effective January 1, 2019.

COMMENT Reporter’s Notes, 2019 Amendment: Subdivisions (b) and (c) were added.