If the jury, after retiring for deliberations, requests additional instructions, the judicial authority, after providing notice to the parties and an opportunity for suggestions by counsel, shall recall the jury to the courtroom and give additional instructions necessary to respond properly to the request or to direct the jury’s attention to a portion of the original instructions. (See Sec. 864, P.B. 1978-1997.)
Section 16-28.Jury Request for Additional Instructions
Current through August 12, 2025 (2026 Practice Book edition) · Last verified July 9, 2026
In one sentenceWhen a deliberating jury asks for additional instructions, the court gives the parties notice and a chance to suggest a response, then recalls the jury to give the instructions needed to answer the request or points the jury back to relevant parts of the original charge.
Full Text of Section 16-28
Amendment History
(P.B. 1998.)
Plain-English Summary
If the jury, after it has retired to deliberate, requests additional instructions, the judge must first notify the parties and give counsel a chance to suggest how to respond. The judge then recalls the jury to the courtroom and gives whatever additional instructions are necessary to answer the request properly, or directs the jury’s attention to the relevant portion of the instructions already given.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens when a jury asks a legal question during deliberations?
The court notifies the parties, lets counsel suggest a response, then recalls the jury and gives the additional instructions needed to answer the request or points the jury to the relevant part of the original charge.
Do the lawyers get input before the judge answers the jury’s question?
Yes. Section 16-28 requires notice to the parties and an opportunity for counsel to make suggestions before the judge responds.
Does the judge always give brand-new instructions in response to a jury question?
Not necessarily. The judge may instead direct the jury’s attention to a portion of the instructions already given, rather than crafting new instructions.
How is this different from a jury request to hear testimony again?
Section 16-28 covers requests for additional legal instructions, while Section 16-27 covers requests to hear specific testimony read back.
Source & verification. The section text is reproduced verbatim from the
official Connecticut Practice Book (Conn. Practice Book § 16-28). 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: jury request for additional instructions CTjury asks judge a question during deliberationsrecall jury for more instructionsjury deliberation legal question