The judicial authority, after exceptions to the charge, or upon its own motion, may recall the jury to the courtroom and give it additional instructions in order to:
Section 16-25.Modification of Instructions for Correction or Clarification
Current through August 12, 2025 (2026 Practice Book edition) · Last verified July 9, 2026
In one sentenceAfter exceptions to the charge, or on its own initiative, the judicial authority may recall the jury to correct or withdraw an erroneous instruction, clarify an ambiguous one, or add an instruction it should have given the first time.
Full Text of Section 16-25
(1) Correct or withdraw an erroneous instruction;
(2) Clarify an ambiguous instruction; or
(3) Instruct the jury on any matter which should have been covered in the original instructions.
Amendment History
(P.B. 1998; see Sec. 860.)
Plain-English Summary
The judicial authority is not stuck with the charge as originally delivered. After hearing exceptions to the charge, or acting entirely on its own motion, it may recall the jury to the courtroom and give additional instructions. Those additional instructions can correct or withdraw an instruction that was wrong, clarify one that was ambiguous, or cover a matter that should have been addressed in the original instructions but was not.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a judge fix a jury instruction after already giving the charge?
Yes. The judicial authority may recall the jury and give additional instructions to correct or withdraw an erroneous instruction, clarify an ambiguous one, or address a matter left out of the original charge.
Does the judicial authority need a party to ask before modifying instructions?
No. It may act after exceptions to the charge or upon its own motion.
What triggers a recall of the jury under Section 16-25?
Exceptions taken to the charge, or the judicial authority’s own decision that an instruction needs correcting, clarifying, or supplementing.
Source & verification. The section text is reproduced verbatim from the
official Connecticut Practice Book (Conn. Practice Book § 16-25). Prescribed by the Judges of the Superior Court of Connecticut (Conn. Gen. Stat. Section 51-14). The plain-English summary is original and written by us. Last verified July 9, 2026. ·
Official source
Also known as: correcting jury instructions after chargerecalling jury for additional instructionsclarifying ambiguous jury charge CTmodifying instructions correction clarification