Nevada § 175.161 - Instructions

§ 175.161. Instructions

1. Upon the close of the argument, the judge shall charge the jury. The judge may state the testimony and declare the law, but may not charge the jury

in respect to matters of fact. The charge must be reduced to writing before it is given, and no charge or instructions

may be given to the jury otherwise than in writing, unless by the mutual consent of

the parties. If either party requests it, the court must settle and give the instructions to

the jury before the argument begins, but this does not prevent the giving of further

instructions which may become necessary by reason of the argument. 2. In charging the jury, the judge shall state to them all such matters of law the

judge thinks necessary for their information in giving their verdict. 3. Either party may present to the court any written charge, and request that it be

given. If the court believes that the charge is pertinent and an accurate statement of

the law, whether or not the charge has been adopted as a model jury instruction, it

must be given. If the court believes that the charge is not pertinent or not an accurate statement

of law, then it must be refused. 4. An original and one copy of each instruction requested by any party must be tendered

to the court. The copies must be numbered and indicate who tendered them. Copies of instructions given on the court's own motion or modified by the court

must be so identified. When requested instructions are refused, the judge shall write on the margin of

the original the word “refused” and initial or sign the notation. The instructions given to the jury must be firmly bound together and the judge shall

write the word “given” at the conclusion thereof and sign the last of the instructions

to signify that all have been given. After the instructions are given, the judge may not clarify, modify or in any manner

explain them to the jury except in writing unless the parties agree to oral instructions. 5. After the jury has reached a verdict and been discharged, the originals of all

instructions, whether given, modified or refused, must be preserved by the clerk as

part of the proceedings. 6. Conferences with counsel to settle instructions must be held out of the presence

of the jury and may be held in chambers at the option of the court. 7. When the offense charged carries a possible penalty of life without possibility

of parole a charge to the jury that such penalty does not exclude executive clemency

is a correct and pertinent charge, and must be given upon the request of either party.