Prepared by a group of some of the state's most distinguished judges and lawyers, the Maryland Criminal Pattern Jury Instructions, Third Edition, 2025 Update contains more than 200 jury instructions accompanied by comprehensive comments explaining the appropriate constitutional, statutory, court rule and case authority supporting the instruction. In addition to instructions on specific criminal offenses, the book includes: introductory and cautionary instructions; general instructions; evidentiary instructions; and instructions as to defenses, parties and verdict sheets.
What’s New in the 2025 Update?
NEW INSTRUCTIONS to address recent legislative and case law developments.
- Affray (MPJI-Cr 4:01.3)
- Indecent Exposure in the Presence of a Minor (MPJI-Cr 4:18.7.1)
- Criminal Organization Instructions:
- Participation in Criminal Organization—Use of Proceeds (MPJI-Cr 4:16.1B)
- Acquisition of Interest or Control of Enterprise or Real Property through Underlying Crime (MPJI-Cr 4:16.1C)
- Threat Regarding Participation in Criminal Organization (MPJI-Cr 4:16.2)
- Threat to Coerce, Induce, or Solicit—Schools (MPJI-Cr 4:16.3)
- Organizing/Supervising a Criminal Organization (MPJI-Cr 4:16.4)
- Child Pornography Instructions:
- Child Pornography (MPJI–Cr 4:07.2C)
- Sexual Solicitation of a Minor (MPJI-Cr 4:07.2D)
- Anti-Prostitution Instructions:
- Prostitution/Assignation (MPJI-Cr 4:37)
- Receiving Earnings of a Prostitute (MPJI-Cr 4:37.1)
- Abduction of a Child Under 16 (MPJI-Cr 4:37.2)
- Procuring or Soliciting Prostitution or Assignation (MPJI-Cr 4:37.3)
- Using Building, Structure, or Conveyance for Prostitution or Assignation (MPJI-Cr 4:37.4)
KEY UPDATES TO EXISTING INSTRUCTIONS, reflecting recent changes in Maryland law and appellate court decisions.
- Rape and Sexual Offenses
- Consciousness of Guilt
- Weapons Offenses
- First-Degree Assault
- Impartiality in Consideration
- Child Abuse
- Identification of Defendant
- Self-Defense