Shotgun charge

Definition

An instruction given by a court to a deadlocked jury to encourage it to continue deliberating until it reaches a verdict. Also called Allen charge, dynamite charge, nitroglycerine charge, and third-degree instruction.

Illustrative caselaw

See, e.g. U.S. v. Hill, 334 Fed.Appx. 640 (5th Cir. 2009) and Allen v. U.S., 164 U.S. 492 (1896).

See also

• Hung jury
• Jury instruction

Definition from Nolo’s Plain-English Law Dictionary

Definition provided by Nolo’s Plain-English Law Dictionary.

August 19, 2010, 5:24 pm