The jury charge is the questions, instructions, and definitions given to the jury by the court (judge) in a lawsuit to resolve the dispute between the parties. The jury’s answers to the questions in the jury charge determines the outcome of the lawsuit (the jury verdict), and is ultimately reflected in the court’s judgment (the statement of the relief granted in the lawsuit—generally who owes who money).

In Florida, the jury charge, also known as jury instructions, is a crucial component of a trial. These instructions are provided by the judge to the jury and encompass the questions they must answer, the legal principles they must follow, and the definitions they must understand to deliberate properly on the case. The instructions are tailored to the specific laws and issues relevant to the case at hand. Florida courts often use standard jury instructions that have been developed for various types of cases, but these can be modified by the judge to fit the particular circumstances of the case. The jury's answers to the questions posed in the jury charge lead to the jury verdict, which determines the outcome of the lawsuit. This verdict is then reflected in the court's judgment, which details the relief granted, such as monetary damages or other remedies. The process of crafting and delivering the jury charge is governed by the Florida Rules of Civil Procedure and relevant case law, ensuring that the jury's decision-making process is based on a correct understanding of the law.