Bridging the justice gap in New York

SAMPLE JURY VERDICT FORM

I.          LIABILITY

Do you find that any of the defendants violated the federal constitutional rights of plaintiff?

Defendants

a.         Defendant No. 1                       ______  Yes                _____No

b.         Defendant No. 2                       ______  Yes                _____No

All jurors must agree on the answers to this question.

1.         Should all of your answers to the preceding question be “no,” then you need not consider whether to award damages to the plaintiff. Your deliberations are concluded and the jurors must sign this form.

2.         Should any of your answers to the preceding question be “yes,” then you must proceed to answer the following questions relating to damages. Answer only the relevant questions for the particular defendants you have found to be liable.

II.        DAMAGES

A.        Nominal Damage

If you find that plaintiff’s rights were violated, but that plaintiff has failed to prove any specific damages, you may award nominal damages as compensation for the violation itself. Such an award of nominal damages is not required. Indicate below the amounts (not to exceed one dollar) to be paid by each defendant whom you have previously found to be liable to the plaintiff.

Total Nominal Damage Award

$________________________

Defendants

            a.         Defendant No. 1                       $__________________

            b          Defendant No. 2                       $__________________

Total a + b: $______________

(Must equal the above Total Nominal Damage Award)

All jurors must agree on the answer to this question.

B.         Compensatory Damages

1.         Did plaintiff suffer any actual injuries or other damages caused by any of the defendants you have previously found to be liable to the plaintiff?

_____Yes                                ______No

2.         Should your answer to question #1 on compensatory damages be “no,” then you need not deliberate any further. Your deliberations are concluded and the jurors must sign this form.

3.         Should your answer to question #1 on compensatory damages be “yes,” then you must proceed to answer the following question. Answer only the relevant question for the defendants you have found to be liable.

4.         If you find that plaintiff sustained actual injuries or other damages, state the total amount of compensatory damages awarded to the plaintiff and indicate the amounts to be paid by each defendant whom you have previously found to be liable to the plaintiff.

Total Compensatory Damage Award

$_____________________________

Defendants

a.         Defendant No. 1                                               $_______________

b.         Defendant No. 2                                               $_______________

Total a+b:$__________________

(Must equal the above Total Compensatory

Damage Award)

All jurors must agree on the answer to this question.

_________________________________      _____________________________

Juror No. 1                                                      Juror No. 2

_________________________________      _____________________________

Juror No. 3                                                      Juror No. 4

_________________________________      _____________________________

Juror No. 5                                                      Juror No. 6

_________________________________      _____________________________

Juror No. 7                                                      Juror No. 8