W.Va. Chief Justice Published Pattern Jury Instructions

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 reports the Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia made the announcement Wednesday.

After five years of research, Ketchum says he believes the uniformed set of instructions will help civil trials run more efficiently, and put less of a workload on courts.

Ketchum says the instructions would be more understandable to jurors, judges and lawyers.

Webster County Circuit Judge Jack Alsop supervised the project and says he believes it would be a great benefit and assistance to juries.

Over 20 lawyers and judges from around the state had a hand in creating the instructions which cover 15 topics and could be expanded in the future.