Let’s Talk About Jury Instructions

November 25, 2013. Many states, including Iowa, have sample or "pattern" jury instructions. A free copy of Iowa’s civil jury instructions (albeit slightly outdated – contact Goosmann Law Firm with any questions regarding recent changes) is publically available here. While it might seem counterintuitive, if you are considering filing a lawsuit one of the first things you or your attorney should do is analyze the applicable jury instructions closely. Why, you ask? First of all, a thorough review of the jury instructions will guide you to the claims or “causes of action” which might apply to your dispute. For example, maybe you were planning to sue an Iowa business for breach of contract, but upon review of the Iowa civil jury instructions you might be inclined to assert additional claims, such as tortious interference with actual or prospective business relationships, unjust enrichment, or even fraud. In addition, the jury instructions outline the specific “elements” of the claims that you will need to plead and ultimately prove at trial; as such, the jury instructions will guide your actions and strategy from the beginning of the lawsuit, through depositions, and all the way through trial. Don’t wait until you are preparing for trial to conduct an in-depth analysis of the jury instructions; if you do, it could have serious ramifications.

If you have any questions, contact Goosmann Law Firm’s litigation team at info@goosmannlaw.com or by calling 712.226.4000.