CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) - West Virginia Supreme Court Chief Justice Menis Ketchum has published pattern jury instructions for use in civil cases in the state's courts.
The Herald-Dispatch reported that the Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia made the announcement Wednesday.
After five years of research, Ketchum said he believes the uniform set of instructions will help civil trials run more efficiently and put less of a workload on courts.
Ketchum said the instructions would be more understandable to jurors, judges and lawyers.
Webster County Circuit Judge Jack Alsop supervised the project and said he believes it would be of great benefit and assistance to juries.
More than 20 lawyers and judges from around West Virginia had a hand in creating the instructions, which cover 15 topics and could be expanded in the future.
To purchase copies of the instructions, call the State Law Library at 304-340-3980, or order online at http://www.courtswv.gov/legal-community/patternJuryInstructions/index.html.