What procedural right does the trial jury have in a federal defamation trial before closing arguments?

In a federal defamation trial, the procedural right of the trial jury before closing arguments is to receive instructions based on proposed jury instructions. This is a critical stage in the trial process where the jury is informed about the relevant legal standards they must apply when considering the evidence and reaching their verdict. The judge provides these instructions, which are often based on proposals submitted by both parties. This ensures that the jury understands the legal principles that govern the case, such as what constitutes defamation and the burden of proof required to prove the claim.

The jury does not have the right to submit new evidence at this stage, as evidence presentation is typically confined to the trial phase before closing arguments. Similarly, the jury does not vote on the case outcome until after they have heard the closing arguments and received the judge's final instructions. The jury also does not have the authority to change the judge; such a decision would lie within the purview of the legal process and the applicable laws governing the judicial system. Therefore, providing the jury with proper instructions is essential for ensuring that their deliberation and eventual verdict are grounded in the appropriate legal framework.