Third-degree instruction

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 shotgun charge.

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, 5:25 pm