A jury instruction is the judges oral explanation of the law governing a case. Jury instructions are given after the attorneys have presented all the evidence and have made final arguments, but before the jury begins deliberations. In some cases, the judge will give what is called a "limiting" instruction to a jury concerning trial testimony and exhibits that are to be considerd only for a limited purpose. Improper explanations of the law to be applied in jury instructions are often the basis for later appeals.
