Montana Code Annotated 2023

TITLE 26. EVIDENCE

CHAPTER 1. STATUTORY PROVISIONS ON EVIDENCE

Part 3. Weight and Effect of Evidence

Instructions To Jury On How To Evaluate Evidence

26-1-303. Instructions to jury on how to evaluate evidence. The jury is to be instructed by the court on all proper occasions that:

(1) their power of judging the effect of evidence is not arbitrary but to be exercised with legal discretion and in subordination to the rules of evidence;

(2) they are not bound to decide in conformity with the declarations of any number of witnesses that do not produce conviction in their minds, against a less number or against a presumption or other evidence satisfying their minds;

(3) a witness false in one part of the witness's testimony is to be distrusted in others;

(4) the testimony of a person legally accountable for the acts of the accused ought to be viewed with distrust;

(5) if weaker and less satisfactory evidence is offered and it appears that it is within the power of the party to offer stronger and more satisfactory evidence, the evidence offered should be viewed with distrust.

History: En. Sec. 3390, C. Civ. Proc. 1895; re-en. Sec. 8028, Rev. C. 1907; re-en. Sec. 10672, R.C.M. 1921; Cal. C. Civ. Proc. Sec. 2061; re-en. Sec. 10672, R.C.M. 1935; R.C.M. 1947, 93-2001-1(part)(1) thru (4), (6), (7); amd. Sec. 7, Ch. 72, L. 1983; amd. Sec. 523, Ch. 56, L. 2009.