gender in twelfth night essay

Twelfth Night

William shakespeare, ask litcharts ai: the answer to your questions.

In connection with the themes of deception, disguise, and performance, Twelfth Night raises questions about the nature of gender and sexual identity. That Viola has disguised herself as a man, and that her disguise fools Olivia into falling in love with her, is genuinely funny. On a more serious note, however, Viola's transformation into Cesario , and Olivia's impossible love for him/her, also imply that, maybe, distinctions between male/female and heterosexual/homosexual are not as absolutely firm as you might think.

The play stresses the potential ambiguity of gender: there are many instances in which characters refer to Cesario as an effeminate man. Even more radically than this, however, it also suggests that gender is something you can influence, based on how you act, rather than something that you are , based on the sexual organs you were born with. Twelfth Night also shows how gender-switches make the characters' sexual identities unstable. For instance, at times, Olivia seems to be attracted to Cesario because "he" is such a womanly-looking man, while Orsino at the end of the play seems as attracted to Cesario as he is to Viola.

Gender and Sexual Identity ThemeTracker

Gender and Sexual Identity Quotes in Twelfth Night

Gender Roles and Identity in ‘Twelfth Night’

This essay about “Twelfth Night” focuses on the exploration of gender roles and identity, particularly through the character of Viola, who disguises herself as a man, Cesario. It examines how this disguise not only drives the plot but also serves as a commentary on the fluidity of gender and the constructed nature of societal roles. The essay highlights the comedic yet insightful episodes that reveal the arbitrary nature of gender norms and the performative aspects of gender roles. Furthermore, it discusses the confusion and complications in relationships and desires that arise from Viola’s disguise, suggesting that attraction and love transcend societal definitions of gender. Through this analysis, the essay argues that Shakespeare’s work invites reflection on the fluidity and ambiguity inherent in human identity, challenging traditional perceptions of gender and relationships.

How it works

Amidst the narrative of William Shakespeare’s “Twelfth Night,” the thematic thread of gender delineation and selfhood emerges prominently, particularly embodied through Viola, who undertakes the guise of Cesario. This metamorphosis, far from mere plot intricacy, resonates as a profound discourse on the malleability of gender and the contrived constructs of societal roles. Viola’s guise and its ramifications offer fertile ground for probing the intricacies of gender identity, the theatricality of gender roles, and the intricate interplay of human yearning and connections that ensue.

Viola’s choice to portray herself as a man in a society ensconced within rigid gender paradigms sets the scene for a series of comedic yet illuminating encounters, laying bare the arbitrary confines of these paradigms. As Cesario, Viola navigates realms inaccessible to her as a woman, gaining unique insights into the male psyche and the privileges inherent to men. This dual perspective elucidates the performative nature of gender, intimating that roles are akin to garments, readily shed and adopted. Shakespeare harnesses Viola’s odyssey to subtly challenge and critique the gender mores of his era, intimating that identity surpasses societal delineations.

The labyrinthine intrigues and confusions stemming from Viola’s masquerade illuminate the play’s deeper inquiries into desire, love, and the essence of genuine identity. Characters find themselves drawn to Cesario in unexpected fashions, with Olivia enamored by the disguised Viola and Orsino forging a profound connection with his male page, oblivious to her true femininity. These convoluted affections underscore the notion that attraction and love transcend physical semblances and societal categorizations, touching upon the notion of a deeper, spiritual bond that defies gender confines.

Furthermore, the ensuing complexities serve as a reflective mirror, exposing the absurdities and arbitrary strictures of societal expectations concerning gender and relationships. In “Twelfth Night,” Shakespeare suggests that the heart yearns for what it wills, regardless of external manifestations of gender. This perspective not only challenges the audience’s perceptions of gender and sexuality but also presents a daring affirmation of the fluidity and ambiguity inherent in human identity and relationships, particularly notable for its era.

In summation, “Twelfth Night” endures as a testament to Shakespeare’s penetrating insight into the convolutions of human nature and society’s constructs. Through Viola’s odyssey, the play ventures into the exploration of gender dynamics and identity, unveiling the fluidity and societal artifice of these constructs. Shakespeare’s nuanced depiction of gender and longing beckons us to introspect upon our own perceptions and the roles we assume. In doing so, “Twelfth Night” persists as a potent exploration of the human condition, beckoning us to contemplate the emancipatory prospects that lie beyond the constricting bounds of traditional gender conventions.

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Gender Roles

Back to: Twelfth Night by William Shakespeare

The play Twelfth Night extensively deals with the idea of gender and how it forms one’s identity on a superficial level. When reading the play, we come to know how the social role of genders since that age has not changed that much.

Viola, one of the major characters in the play, is surprised by the rules which govern gender roles in society. She wonders how Olivia can fall in love with Cesario which is a disguise but not with Orsino who is trying to win her constantly. 

When a woman is mistaken for a man and the plot still develops in that confusion, we start questioning the definition of gender which defines womanhood or manhood. Confusions over identity are the prime source of excitement in this play.

Without playing with gender identity, this play could not have been a romantic comedy. Viola as a woman is supposed to be reserved in an Elizabethan society but here as Cesario, her role is reversed. Her character becomes more elevated in expression when it enjoys freedom of speech as a man. 

Olivia, in the beginning, plays the role of a chaste woman who doesn’t even communicate back to Orsino and it keeps saving her from his advances. She plays the mourning role which is still demanded from a woman as one of her duties.

But she transgresses this role when she falls for Cesario (although it is Viola in disguise) who is much lesser to her in social position. Viola also as a woman idealizes a man conventionally.

This ideal figure for love is also a gender-defined role. Orsino admires Olivia but he doesn’t even perhaps truly believe what he worships in her because in the end he takes Viola in an instant and it seems like his definition as a lover is what was conventionally defined as a courtly man in that age. 

The infatuation of Orsino shows no real interest in Olivia’s personality. It looks like a gender role assigned to the Duke as a man. His love for her is a vision of his own manhood as a Duke.

He expresses to Cesario the nature of males and females. He speaks as a man that “ Our fancies are more giddy and unfirm, More longing, wavering, sooner lost and worn, Than women’s are. ” 

Through mistaken identities, the play shows how aggressive manhood is actually foolishness and in the play it becomes comic. When Orsino becomes too sure of himself as a great lover and man, it sounds funny when it reaches Olivia and the way she perceives it. 

By exchanging gender roles and identity, Shakespeare creates a fusion of possibilities. Orsino describes Cesario’s features as that of a woman. Malvolio notices the same.

Shakespeare creates something which comes in between. It is a much deeper theme that lies in many of Shakespeare’s works. Hence, gender and identity is a major thematic concern of the play. 

Twelfth Night William Shakespeare

Twelfth Night literature essays are academic essays for citation. These papers were written primarily by students and provide critical analysis of Twelfth Night.

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The judge in former President Donald J. Trump’s Manhattan criminal trial, Juan M. Merchan, issued instructions to jurors on Wednesday that serve as a guide to applying the law in deliberations.

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Post-Summation Instructions Introduction Members of the jury, I will now instruct you on the law. I will first review the general principles of law that apply to this case and all criminal cases. You have heard me explain some of those principles at the beginning of the trial. I am sure you can appreciate the benefits of repeating those instructions at this stage of the proceedings. Next, I will define the crimes charged in this case, explain the law that applies to those definitions, and spell out the elements of each charged crime. Finally, I will outline the process of jury deliberations. These instructions will take at least an hour, and you will not receive copies of them. You may however, request that I read them back to you in whole or in part as many times as you wish, and I will be happy to do so. Page | 1

Role of Court and Jury During these instructions, I will not summarize the evidence. If necessary, I may refer to portions of the evidence to explain the law that relates to it. My reference to evidence, or my decision not to refer to evidence, expresses no opinion about the truthfulness, accuracy, or importance of any particular evidence. In fact, nothing I have said in the course of this trial was meant to suggest that I have an opinion about this case. If you have formed an impression that I do have an opinion, you must put it out of your mind and disregard it. The level of my voice or intonation may vary during these instructions. If I do that, it is done to help you understand. It is not done to communicate any opinion about the law or the facts of the case or of whether the defendant is guilty or not guilty. It is not my responsibility to judge the evidence here. It is yours. You are the judges of the facts, and you are responsible for deciding whether the defendant is guilty or not guilty. Page 2

Reminder: Fairness Remember, you have promised to be a fair juror. A fair juror is a person who will keep their promise to be fair and impartial and who will not permit the verdict to be influenced by a bias or prejudice in favor of or against a person who appeared in this trial on account of that person's race, color, national origin, ancestry, gender, gender identity or expression, religion, religious practice, age, disability or sexual orientation, and further, a fair juror must be mindful of any stereotypes or attitudes about people or about groups of people that the juror may have, and must not allow those stereotypes or attitudes to affect their verdict. As I have explained, we all develop and hold unconscious views on many subjects. Some of those unconscious views may come from stereotypes and attitudes about people or groups of people that may impact on a person's thinking and decision- making without that person even knowing it. As a juror, you are asked to make a very important decision about another member of the community. I know you would not want to make that decision based on such stereotypes or attitudes, that is, on what we call implicit biases, and it would be wrong for you to do so. A fair juror must guard against the impact of such stereotypes or attitudes. You can do this by asking yourself during your deliberations whether your views and conclusions would be different if the defendant, witnesses or others that you have heard about or seen in court were of a different race, color, national origin, ancestry, gender, gender identity or expression, religious practice, age or sexual orientation, or if they did not have a disability. If the answer is yes, then, in keeping with your promise to be fair, reconsider your views and conclusions along with the other jurors, and make sure your verdict is based on the evidence and not on stereotypes or attitudes. Justice requires no less. Page 3

Limiting Instruction Regarding the Defendant Jurors, you will recall that during jury selection you agreed that you would set aside any personal opinions or bias you might have in favor of or against the Defendant, and that you would decide this case fairly on the evidence and the law. Again, I direct you to decide this case on the evidence and the law as it relates to the Defendant here on trial. You must set aside any personal opinions or bias you might have in favor of or against the Defendant, and you must not allow any such opinions to influence your verdict. Page 4

Sentence: Not Consider Remember also, in your deliberations, you may not consider or speculate about matters relating to sentence or punishment. If there is a verdict of guilty, it will be my responsibility to impose an appropriate sentence. Page 5

Evidence When you judge the facts, you are to consider only the evidence. The evidence in the case includes: the testimony of the witnesses, the exhibits that were received in evidence, and the stipulations agreed to by the parties. Remember, a stipulation is information the parties have agreed to present to the jury as evidence, without calling a witness to testify. Testimony which was stricken from the record or to which an objection was sustained must be disregarded by you. Exhibits that were received in evidence are available, upon your request, for your inspection and consideration. Exhibits that were just seen during the trial, or marked for identification but not received in evidence, are not evidence, and are thus not available for your inspection and consideration. But testimony based on those exhibits that were not received in evidence may be considered by you. It is just that the exhibit itself is not available for your inspection and consideration. Page 6

Evidentiary Inferences In evaluating the evidence, you may consider any fact that is proven and any inference which may be drawn from such fact. To draw an inference means to infer, find, conclude that a fact exists or does not exist based upon proof of some other fact or facts. For example, suppose you go to bed one night when it is not raining and when you wake up in the morning, you look out your window; you do not see rain, but you see that the street and sidewalk are wet, and that people are wearing raincoats and carrying umbrellas. Under those circumstances, it may be reasonable to infer, that is conclude, that it rained during the night. In other words, the fact of it having rained while you were asleep is an inference that might be drawn from the proven facts of the presence of the water on the street and sidewalk, and people in raincoats and carrying umbrellas. An inference must only be drawn from a proven fact or facts and then only if the inference flows naturally, reasonably, and logically from the proven fact or facts, not if it is speculative. Therefore, in deciding whether to draw an inference, you must look at and consider all the facts in the light of reason, common sense, and experience. Page 7

REDACTIONS As you know, certain exhibits were admitted into evidence with some portions blacked out or redacted. Those redactions were made to remove personal identifying information and to ensure that only relevant admissible evidence was put before you. You may not speculate as to what material was redacted or why, and you may not draw any inference, favorable or unfavorable against either party, from the fact that certain material has been redacted. Page 8

Limiting Instructions You may recall that I instructed you several times during the trial that certain exhibits were being accepted into evidence for a limited purpose only and that you were not to consider that evidence for any other purpose. Under the law we refer to that as a limiting instruction. I will now remind you of some of the limiting instructions you were given during the trial. AMI - You will recall that you heard testimony that while David Pecker was an executive at AMI, AMI entered into a non- prosecution agreement with federal prosecutors, as well as a conciliation agreement with the Federal Election Commission (FEC). I remind you that evidence was permitted to assist you, the jury, in assessing David Pecker's credibility and to help provide context for some of the surrounding events. You may consider that testimony for those purposes only. Neither the non-prosecution agreement, nor the conciliation agreement is evidence of the Defendant's guilt, and you may not consider them in determining whether the Defendant is guilty or not guilty of the charged crimes. Michael Cohen - You also heard testimony that the Federal Election Commission ("FEC") conducted an investigation into the payment to Stormy Daniels and of responses submitted by Michael Cohen and his attorney to the investigation. That evidence was permitted to assist you, the jury, in assessing Michael Cohen's credibility and to help provide context for some of the surrounding events. You may consider that evidence for those purposes only. Likewise, you will recall that you heard testimony that Michael Cohen pleaded guilty to violating the Federal Election Campaign Act, otherwise known as FECA. I remind you that evidence was permitted to assist you, the jury, in assessing Mr. Cohen's credibility as a witness and to help provide context for some of the events that followed. You may Page 9

consider that testimony for those purposes only. Neither the fact of the FEC investigation, Mr. Cohen and his attorney's responses or the fact that Mr. Cohen pleaded guilty, constitutes evidence of the Defendant's guilt and you may not consider them in determining whether the Defendant is guilty or not guilty of the charged crimes. - Wall Street Journal News articles You will recall that certain Wall Street Journal news articles were accepted into evidence during the trial. I remind you now that the articles were accepted and may be considered by you for the limited purpose of demonstrating that the articles were published on or about a certain date and to provide context for the other evidence. The exhibits may not be considered by you as evidence that any of the assertions in the articles is true. - Other hearsay evidence not accepted for its truth – There were other exhibits which contained hearsay and were not accepted for the truth of the matter asserted but for another purpose. For example, there were several National Enquirer headlines and an invoice from Investor Advisory Services (People's 161). Those were accepted for the limited purpose of demonstrating that the articles were published and the document created. There were also some text messages that were accepted with a similar limitation. For example, People's Exhibit 171.A with respect to Gina Rodriguez's texts only and 257 with respect to Chris Cuomo's texts only. Those text messages were accepted for the limited purpose of providing context for the responses by Dylan Howard and Michael Cohen. The exhibits which were accepted into evidence with a limiting instruction are 152, 153.A, 153.B, 153.C, 161, 171.A, 180, 181 and 257. Page 10

If you have any additional questions or need clarification as to which exhibits were accepted into evidence with limitations, just send me a note with your question and I will be happy to clarify. Presumption of Innocence We now turn to the fundamental principles of our law that apply in all criminal trials-the presumption of innocence, the burden of proof, and the requirement of proof beyond a reasonable doubt. Throughout these proceedings, the defendant is presumed to be innocent. As a result, you must find the defendant not guilty, unless, on the evidence presented at this trial, you conclude that the People have proven the defendant guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. In determining whether the People have satisfied their burden of proving the defendant's guilt beyond a reasonable doubt, you may consider all the evidence presented, whether by the People or by the defendant. In doing so, however, remember that, even though the defendant introduced evidence, the burden of proof remains on the People. Defendant Did Not Testify The fact that the defendant did not testify is not a factor from which any inference unfavorable to the defendant may be drawn. Page 11

Burden of Proof The defendant is not required to prove that he is not guilty. In fact, the defendant is not required to prove or disprove anything. To the contrary, the People have the burden of proving the defendant guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. That means, before you can find the defendant guilty of a crime, the People must prove beyond a reasonable doubt every element of the crime including that the defendant is the person who committed that crime. The burden of proof never shifts from the People to the defendant. If the People fail to satisfy their burden of proof, you must find the defendant not guilty and if the People satisfy their burden of proof, you must find the defendant guilty. Page 12

Reasonable Doubt What does our law mean when it requires proof of guilt "beyond a reasonable doubt"? The law uses the term, "proof beyond a reasonable doubt," to tell you how convincing the evidence of guilt must be to permit a verdict of guilty. The law recognizes that, in dealing with human affairs, there are very few things in this world that we know with absolute certainty. Therefore, the law does not require the People to prove a defendant guilty beyond all possible doubt. On the other hand, it is not sufficient to prove that the defendant is probably guilty. In a criminal case, the proof of guilt must be stronger than that. It must be beyond a reasonable doubt. A reasonable doubt is an honest doubt of the defendant's guilt for which a reason exists based upon the nature and quality of the evidence. It is an actual doubt, not an imaginary doubt. It is a doubt that a reasonable person, acting in a matter of this importance, would be likely to entertain because of the evidence that was presented or because of the lack of convincing evidence. Proof of guilt beyond a reasonable doubt is proof that leaves you so firmly convinced of the defendant's guilt that you have no reasonable doubt of the existence of any element of the crime or of the defendant's identity as the person who committed the crime. In determining whether the People have proven the defendant's guilt beyond a reasonable doubt, you should be guided solely by a full and fair evaluation of the evidence. After carefully evaluating the evidence, each of you must decide Page 13

whether that evidence convinces you beyond a reasonable doubt of the defendant's guilt. Whatever your verdict may be, it must not rest upon baseless speculation. Nor may it be influenced in any way by bias, prejudice, sympathy, or by a desire to bring an end to your deliberations or to avoid an unpleasant duty. If you are not convinced beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant is guilty of a charged crime, you must find the defendant not guilty of that crime and if you are convinced beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant is guilty of a charged crime, you must find the defendant guilty of that crime. Page 14

Credibility of Witnesses Introduction As judges of the facts, you alone determine the truthfulness and accuracy of the testimony of each witness. You must decide whether a witness told the truth and was accurate, or instead, testified falsely or was mistaken. You must also decide what importance to give to the testimony you accept as truthful and accurate. It is the quality of the testimony that is controlling, not the number of witnesses who testify. Accept in Whole or in Part (Falsus in Uno) If you find that any witness has intentionally testified falsely as to any material fact, you may disregard that witness's entire testimony. Or, you may disregard so much of it as you find was untruthful, and accept so much of it as you find to have been truthful and accurate. Credibility factors There is no particular formula for evaluating the truthfulness and accuracy of another person's statements or testimony. You bring to this process all of your varied experiences. In life, you frequently decide the truthfulness and accuracy of statements made to you by other people. The same factors used to make those decisions, should be used in this case when evaluating the testimony. Page 15

In General Some of the factors that you may wish to consider in evaluating the testimony of a witness are as follows: Did the witness have an opportunity to see or hear the events about which he or she testified? Did the witness have the ability to recall those events accurately? Was the testimony of the witness plausible and likely to be true, or was it implausible and not likely to be true? Was the testimony of the witness consistent or inconsistent with other testimony or evidence in the case? Did the manner in which the witness testified reflect upon the truthfulness of that witness's testimony? To what extent, if any, did the witness's background, training, education, or experience affect the believability of that witness's testimony? Did the witness have a conscious bias, hostility or some other attitude that affected the truthfulness of the witness's testimony? Did the witness show an "unconscious bias," that is, a bias that the witness may have even unknowingly acquired from stereotypes and attitudes about people or groups of people, and if so, did that unconscious bias impact that witness's ability to be truthful and accurate. Page | 16

Motive You may consider whether a witness had, or did not have, a motive to lie. If a witness had a motive to lie, you may consider whether and to what extent, if any, that motive affected the truthfulness of that witness's testimony. If a witness did not have a motive to lie, you may consider that as well in evaluating the witness's truthfulness. Benefit You may consider whether a witness hopes for or expects to receive a benefit for testifying. If so, you may consider whether and to what extent it affected the truthfulness of the witness's testimony. Interest/Lack of Interest You may consider whether a witness has any interest in the outcome of the case, or instead, whether the witness has no such interest. You are not required to reject the testimony of an interested witness, or to accept the testimony of a witness who has no interest in the outcome of the case. You may, however, consider whether an interest in the outcome, or the lack of such interest, affected the truthfulness of the witness's testimony. Page 17

Previous Criminal Conduct You may consider whether a witness has been convicted of a crime or has engaged in criminal conduct, and if so, whether and to what extent it affects your evaluation of the truthfulness of that witness's testimony. You are not required to reject the testimony of a witness. who has been convicted of a crime or has engaged in criminal conduct, or to accept the testimony of a witness who has not. You may, however, consider whether a witness's criminal conviction or conduct has affected the truthfulness of the witness's testimony. Page 18

Inconsistent Statements You may consider whether a witness made statements at this trial that are inconsistent with each other. You may also consider whether a witness made previous statements that are inconsistent with his or her testimony at trial. You may consider whether a witness testified to a fact here at trial that the witness omitted to state, at a prior time, when it would have been reasonable and logical for the witness to have stated the fact. In determining whether it would have been reasonable and logical for the witness to have stated the omitted fact, you may consider whether the witness' attention was called to the matter and whether the witness was specifically asked about it. If a witness has made such inconsistent statements or omissions, you may consider whether and to what extent they affect the truthfulness or accuracy of that witness's testimony here at this trial. The contents of a prior inconsistent statement are not proof of what happened. You may use evidence of a prior inconsistent statement only to evaluate the truthfulness or accuracy of the witness's testimony here at trial. Page 19

Consistency You may consider whether a witness's testimony is consistent with the testimony of other witnesses or with other evidence in the case. If there were inconsistencies by or among witnesses, you may consider whether they were significant inconsistencies related to important facts, or instead were the kind of minor inconsistencies that one might expect from multiple witnesses to the same event. Witness Pre-trial Preparation You have heard testimony about the prosecution and defense counsel_speaking to a witness about the case before the witness testified at this trial. The law permits the prosecution and defense counsel to speak to a witness about the case before the witness testifies, and permits a prosecutor and defense counsel to review with the witness the questions that will or may be asked at trial, including the questions that may be asked on cross-examination. You have also heard testimony that a witness read or reviewed certain materials pertaining to this case before the witness testified at trial. The law permits a witness to do so. Speaking to a witness about his or her testimony and permitting the witness to review materials pertaining to the case before the witness testifies is a normal part of preparing for trial. It is not improper as long as it is not suggested that the witness depart from the truth. Page | 20

Identification The People have the burden of proving beyond a reasonable doubt, not only that a charged crime was committed, but that the defendant is the person who committed that crime. Thus, even if you are convinced beyond a reasonable doubt that a charged crime was committed by someone, you cannot convict the defendant of that crime unless you are also convinced beyond a reasonable doubt that he is the person who committed that crime. Page 21

Accomplice as a Matter of Law Under our law, Michael Cohen is an accomplice because there is evidence that he participated in a crime based upon conduct involved in the allegations here against the defendant. Our law is especially concerned about the testimony of an accomplice who implicates another in the commission of a crime, particularly when the accomplice has received, expects or hopes for a benefit in return for his testimony. Therefore, our law provides that a defendant may not be convicted of any crime upon the testimony of an accomplice unless it is supported by corroborative evidence tending to connect the defendant with the commission of that crime. In other words, even if you find the testimony of Michael Cohen to be believable, you may not convict the defendant solely upon that testimony unless you also find that it was corroborated by other evidence tending to connect the defendant with the commission of the crime. The corroborative evidence need not, by itself, prove that a crime was committed or that the defendant is guilty. What the law requires is that there be evidence that tends to connect the defendant with the commission of the crime charged in such a way as may reasonably satisfy you that the accomplice is telling the truth about the defendant's participation in that crime. In determining whether there is the necessary corroboration, you may consider whether there is material, believable evidence, apart from the testimony of Michael Cohen, which itself tends to connect the defendant with the commission of the crime. Page 22

You may also consider whether there is material, believable evidence, apart from the testimony of Michael Cohen, which, while it does not itself tend to connect the defendant with the commission of the crime charged, it nonetheless so harmonizes with the narrative of the accomplice as to satisfy you that the accomplice is telling the truth about the defendant's participation in the crime and thereby tends to connect the defendant to the commission of the crime. Page | 23

The Charged Crimes I will now instruct you on the law applicable to the charged offenses. That offense is Falsifying Business Records in the First Degree 34 Counts. - Page 24

Accessorial Liability Our law recognizes that two or more individuals can act jointly to commit a crime, and that in certain circumstances, each can be held criminally liable for the acts of the others. In that situation, those persons can be said to be "acting in concert" with each other. Our law defines the circumstances under which one person may be criminally liable for the conduct of another. That definition is as follows: When one person engages in conduct which constitutes an offense, another is criminally liable for such conduct when, acting with the state of mind required for the commission of that offense, he or she solicits, requests, commands, importunes, or intentionally aids such person to engage in such conduct. Under that definition, mere presence at the scene of a crime, even with knowledge that the crime is taking place, or mere association with a perpetrator of a crime, does not by itself make a defendant criminally liable for that crime. In order for the defendant to be held criminally liable for the conduct of another which constitutes an offense, you must find beyond a reasonable doubt: (1) That he solicited, requested, commanded, importuned, or intentionally aided that person to engage in that conduct, and (2) That he did so with the state of mind required for the commission of the offense. Page | 25

If it is proven beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant is criminally liable for the conduct of another, the extent or degree of the defendant's participation in the crime does not matter. A defendant proven beyond a reasonable doubt to be criminally liable for the conduct of another in the commission of a crime is as guilty of the crime as if the defendant, personally, had committed every act constituting the crime. The People have the burden of proving beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant acted with the state of mind required for the commission of the crime, and either personally, or by acting in concert with another person, committed each of the remaining elements of the crime. Your verdict, on each count you consider, whether guilty or not guilty, must be unanimous. In order to find the defendant guilty, however, you need not be unanimous on whether the defendant committed the crime personally, or by acting in concert with another, or both. Page 26

The Charged Crimes I will now instruct you on the law applicable to the charged offense. That offense is FALSIFYING BUSINESS RECORDS IN THE FIRST DEGREE – 34 COUNTS. - FALSIFYING BUSINESS RECORDS IN THE FIRST DEGREE Penal Law § 175.10 Under our law, a person is guilty of falsifying business. records in the first degree when, with intent to defraud that includes an intent to commit another crime or to aid or conceal the commission thereof, that person: makes or causes a false entry in the business records of an enterprise. The following terms used in that definition have a special meaning: ENTERPRISE means any entity of one or more persons, corporate or otherwise, public or private, engaged in business, commercial, professional, industrial, social, political or governmental activity. BUSINESS RECORD means any writing or article, including computer data or a computer program, kept or maintained by an enterprise for the purpose of evidencing or reflecting its condition or activity. Page 27

INTENT means conscious objective or purpose. Thus, a person acts with intent to defraud when his or her conscious objective or purpose is to do so. Intent does not require premeditation. In other words, intent does not require advance planning. Nor is it necessary that the intent be in a person's mind for any particular period of time. The intent can be formed, and need only exist, at the very moment the person engages in prohibited conduct or acts to cause the prohibited result, and not at any earlier time. The question naturally arises as to how to determine whether a defendant had the intent required for the commission of a crime. To make that determination in this case, you must decide if the required intent can be inferred beyond a reasonable doubt from the proven facts. In doing so, you may consider the person's conduct and all of the circumstances surrounding that conduct, including, but not limited to, the following: what, if anything, did the person do or say; what result, if any, followed the person's conduct; and was that result the natural, necessary and probable consequence of that conduct. Therefore, in this case, from the facts you find to have been proven, decide whether you can infer beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant had the intent required for the commission of this crime. Page 28

INTENT TO DEFRAUD As I previously explained, a person acts with intent to defraud when his or her conscious objective or purpose is to do SO. In order to prove an intent to defraud, the People need not prove that the defendant acted with the intent to defraud any particular person or entity. A general intent to defraud any person or entity suffices. Intent to defraud is also not constricted to an intent to deprive another of property or money and can extend beyond economic concerns. INTENT TO COMMIT OR CONCEAL ANOTHER CRIME For the crime of Falsifying Business Records in the First Degree, the intent to defraud must include an intent to commit another crime or to aid or conceal the commission thereof. Under our law, although the People must prove an intent to commit another crime or to aid or conceal the commission thereof, they need not prove that the other crime was in fact committed, aided, or concealed. Page 29

NEW YORK ELECTION LAW § 17-152 PREDICATE The People allege that the other crime the defendant intended to commit, aid, or conceal is a violation of New York Election Law section 17-152. Section 17-152 of the New York Election Law provides that any two or more persons who conspire to promote or prevent the election of any person to a public office by unlawful means and which conspiracy is acted upon by one or more of the parties thereto, shall be guilty of conspiracy to promote or prevent an election. Under our law, a person is guilty of such a conspiracy when, with intent that conduct be performed that would promote or prevent the election of a person to public office by unlawful means, he or she agrees with one or more persons to engage in or cause the performance of such conduct. Knowledge of a conspiracy does not by itself make the defendant a coconspirator. The defendant must intend that conduct be performed that would promote or prevent the election of a person to public office by unlawful means. Intent means conscious objective or purpose. Thus, a person acts with the intent that conduct be performed that would promote or prevent the election of a person to public office by unlawful means when his or her conscious objective or purpose is that such conduct be performed. Evidence that defendant was present when others agreed to engage in the performance of a crime does not by itself show that he personally agreed to engage in the conspiracy. Page 30

"By Unlawful Means" Although you must conclude unanimously that the defendant conspired to promote or prevent the election of any person to a public office by unlawful means, you need not be unanimous as to what those unlawful means were. In determining whether the defendant conspired to promote or prevent the election of any person to a public office by unlawful means, you may consider the following: (1) violations of the Federal Election Campaign Act otherwise known as FECA; (2) the falsification of other business records; or (3) violation of tax laws. THE FEDERAL ELECTION CAMPAIGN ACT The first of the People's theories of “unlawful means" which I will now define for you is the Federal Election Campaign Act. Under the Federal Election Campaign Act, it is unlawful for an individual to willfully make a contribution to any candidate with respect to any election for federal office, including the office of President of the United States, which exceeds a certain limit. In 2015 and 2016, that limit was $2,700. It is also unlawful under the Federal Election Campaign Act for any corporation to willfully make a contribution of any amount to a candidate or candidate's campaign in connection with any federal election, or for any person to cause such a corporate contribution. For purposes of these prohibitions, an expenditure made in cooperation, consultation, or concert with, or at the request or suggestion of, a candidate or his agents shall be considered to be a contribution to such candidate. Page 31

The terms CONTRIBUTION and EXPENDITURE include anything of value, including any purchase, payment, loan, or advance, made by any person for the purpose of influencing any election for federal office. Under federal law, a third party's payment of a candidate's expenses is deemed to be a contribution to the candidate unless the payment would have been made irrespective of the candidacy. If the payment would have been made even in the absence of the candidacy, the payment should not be treated as a contribution. FECA's definitions of "contribution" and "expenditure" do not include any cost incurred in covering or carrying a news story, commentary, or editorial by a magazine, periodical publication, or similar press entity, so long as such activity is a normal, legitimate press function. This is called the press exemption. For example, the term legitimate press function includes solicitation letters seeking new subscribers to a publication. FALSIFICATION OF OTHER BUSINESS RECORDS The second of the People's theories of "unlawful means" which I will define for you now is the falsification of other business records. Under New York law, a person is guilty of Falsifying. Business Records in the Second Degree when with intent to defraud, he or she makes or causes a false entry in the business records of an enterprise. Page 32

I previously defined for you the terms enterprise, business records, and intent to defraud. For purposes of determining whether Falsifying Business Records in the Second Degree was an unlawful means used by a conspiracy to promote or prevent an election here, you may consider: (i) the bank records associated with Michael Cohen's account formation paperwork for Resolution Consultants LLC and Essential Consultants LLC accounts; (ii) the bank records associated with Michael Cohen's wire to Keith Davidson; (iii) the invoice from Investor Advisory Services Inc. to Resolution Consultants LLC; and (iv) the 1099-MISC forms that the Trump Organization issued to Michael Cohen. Page 33

VIOLATION OF TAX LAWS The People's third theory of “unlawful means" which I will define for you now is a Violation of Tax Laws. Under New York State and New York City law, it is unlawful to knowingly supply or submit materially false or fraudulent information in connection with any tax return. Likewise, under federal law, it is unlawful for a person to willfully make any tax return, statement, or other document that is fraudulent or false as to any material matter, or that the person does not believe to be true and correct as to every material matter. Under these federal, state, and local laws, such conduct is unlawful even if it does not result in underpayment of taxes. COUNT-SPECIFIC In order for you to find the defendant guilty of the crime of Falsifying Business Records in the First Degree under Count 1 of the Indictment, the People are required to prove, from all of the evidence in the case, beyond a reasonable doubt, each of the following two elements: 1. That on or about February 14, 2017, in the county of New York and elsewhere, the defendant, personally, or by acting in concert with another person or persons, made or caused a false entry in the business records of an enterprise, specifically, an invoice from Michael Cohen dated February 14, 2017, marked as a record of the Donald J. Trump Revocable Trust, and kept or maintained by the Trump Organization; and Page 34

2. That the defendant did so with intent to defraud that included an intent to commit another crime or to aid or conceal the commission thereof. If you find the People have proven beyond a reasonable doubt each of those two elements, you must find the defendant guilty of this crime. If you find the People have not proven beyond a reasonable doubt either one or both of those two elements, you must find the defendants not guilty of this crime. You have now heard me define the law for Count One. There are thirty-three remaining counts in the indictment. Each for Falsifying Business Records in the First Degree and each occurring in New York County. The only difference is that each count pertains to a different business record and possibly a different date. The underlying law applies in the same way to each of the remaining counts so I will only repeat it in full one more time before I read Count 34. Of course, you can ask me to repeat the law in its entirety as many times as you wish and I will be happy to do so. The second count pertains to an entry in the Detail General Ledger for the Donald J. Trump Revocable Trust, dated February 14, 2017, bearing voucher number 842457, and kept or maintained by the Trump Organization. The third count pertains to an entry in the Detail General Ledger for the Donald J. Trump Revocable Trust, dated February 14, 2017, bearing voucher number 842460, and kept or maintained by the Trump Organization. The fourth count pertains to a Donald J. Trump Revocable Trust Account check and check stub dated February 14, 2017, bearing check number 000138, and kept or maintained by the Trump Organization. Page | 35

The fifth count pertains to an invoice from Michael Cohen dated March 16, 2017, marked as a record of the Donald J. Trump Revocable Trust, and kept or maintained by the Trump Organization. The sixth count pertains to an entry in the Detail General Ledger for the Donald J. Trump Revocable Trust, dated March 17, 2017, bearing voucher number 846907, and kept or maintained by the Trump Organization. The seventh count pertains to a Donald J. Trump Revocable Trust Account check and check stub dated March 17, 2017, bearing check number 000147, and kept or maintained by the Trump Organization. The eighth count pertains to an invoice from Michael Cohen dated April 13, 2017, marked as a record of Donald J. Trump, and kept or maintained by the Trump. Organization. The ninth count pertains to an entry in the Detail General Ledger for Donald J. Trump, dated June 19, 2017, bearing voucher number 858770, and kept or maintained by the Trump Organization. The tenth count pertains to a Donald J. Trump account check and check stub dated June 19, 2017, bearing check number 002740, and kept or maintained by the Trump. Organization. The eleventh count pertains to an invoice from Michael Cohen dated May 22, 2017, marked as a record of Donald J. Trump, and kept or maintained by the Trump Organization. Page 36

The twelfth count pertains to an entry in the Detail General Ledger for Donald J. Trump, dated May 22, 2017, bearing voucher number 855331, and kept or maintained by the Trump Organization. The thirteenth count pertains to a Donald J. Trump account check and check stub dated May 23, 2017, bearing check number 002700, and kept or maintained by the Trump Organization. The fourteenth count pertains to an invoice from Michael Cohen dated June 16, 2017, marked as a record of Donald J. Trump, and kept or maintained by the Trump Organization. The fifteenth count pertains to an entry in the Detail General Ledger for Donald J. Trump, dated June 19, 2017, bearing voucher number 858772, and kept or maintained by the Trump Organization. The sixteenth count pertains to a Donald J. Trump account check and check stub dated June 19, 2017, bearing check number 002741, and kept or maintained by the Trump. Organization. The seventeenth count pertains to an invoice from Michael Cohen dated July 11, 2017, marked as a record of Donald J. Trump, and kept or maintained by the Trump. Organization. The eighteenth count pertains to an entry in the Detail General Ledger for Donald J. Trump, dated July 11, 2017, bearing voucher number 861096, and kept or maintained by the Trump Organization. Page 37

The nineteenth count pertains to a Donald J. Trump account check and check stub dated July 11, 2017, bearing check number 002781, and kept or maintained by the Trump Organization. The twentieth count pertains to an invoice from Michael Cohen dated August 1, 2017, marked as a record of Donald J. Trump, and kept or maintained by the Trump Organization. The twenty-first count pertains to an entry in the Detail General Ledger for Donald J. Trump, dated August 1, 2017, bearing voucher number 863641, and kept or maintained by the Trump Organization. The twenty-second count pertains to a Donald J. Trump account check and check stub dated August 1, 2017, bearing check number 002821, and kept or maintained by the Trump Organization. The twenty-third count pertains to an invoice from Michael Cohen dated September 11, 2017, marked as a record of Donald J. Trump, and kept or maintained by the Trump. Organization. The twenty-fourth count pertains to an entry in the Detail General Ledger for Donald J. Trump, dated September 11, 2017, bearing voucher number 868174, and kept or maintained by the Trump Organization. The twenty-fifth count pertains to a Donald J. Trump. account check and check stub dated September 12, 2017, bearing check number 002908, and kept or maintained by the Trump Organization. Page 38

The twenty-sixth count pertains to an invoice from Michael Cohen dated October 18, 2017, marked as a record of Donald J. Trump, and kept or maintained by the Trump. Organization. The twenty-seventh count pertains to an entry in the Detail General Ledger for Donald J. Trump, dated October 18, 2017, bearing voucher number 872654, and kept or maintained by the Trump Organization. The twenty-eighth count pertains to a Donald J. Trump. account check and check stub dated October 18, 2017, bearing check number 002944, and kept or maintained by the Trump Organization. The twenty-ninth count pertains to an invoice from Michael Cohen dated November 20, 2017, marked as a record of Donald J. Trump, and kept or maintained by the Trump. Organization. The thirtieth count pertains to an entry in the Detail General Ledger for Donald J. Trump, dated November 20, 2017, bearing voucher number 876511, and kept or maintained by the Trump Organization. The thirty-first count pertains to a Donald J. Trump account check and check stub dated November 21, 2017, bearing check number 002980, and kept or maintained by the Trump Organization. The thirty-second count pertains to an invoice from Michael Cohen dated December 1, 2017, marked as a record of Donald J. Trump, and kept or maintained by the Trump Organization. Page 39

The thirty-third count pertains to an entry in the Detail General Ledger for Donald J. Trump, dated December 1, 2017, bearing voucher number 877785, and kept or maintained by the Trump Organization. The Thirty Fourth Count is also Falsifying Business Records in the First Degree but as it pertains to a check and check stub dated December 5, 2017. I will now repeat for you the law pertaining to the crime of Falsifying Business Records in the First Degree in its entirety. FALSIFYING BUSINESS RECORDS IN THE FIRST DEGREE Penal Law § 175.10 Under our law, a person is guilty of Falsifying Business Records in the First Degree when, with intent to defraud that includes an intent to commit another crime or to aid or conceal the commission thereof, that person: makes or causes a false entry in the business records of an enterprise. The following terms used in that definition have a special meaning: ENTERPRISE means any entity of one or more persons, corporate or otherwise, public or private, engaged in business, commercial, professional, industrial, social, political or governmental activity. BUSINESS RECORD means any writing or article, including computer data or a computer program, kept or maintained by an enterprise for the purpose of evidencing or reflecting its condition or activity. Page 40

INTENT means conscious objective or purpose. Thus, a person acts with intent to defraud when his or her conscious objective or purpose is to do so. Intent does not require premeditation. In other words, intent does not require advance planning. Nor is it necessary that the intent be in a person's mind for any particular period of time. The intent can be formed, and need only exist, at the very moment the person engages in prohibited conduct or acts to cause the prohibited result, and not at any earlier time. The question naturally arises as to how to determine whether a defendant had the intent required for the commission of a crime. To make that determination in this case, you must decide if the required intent can be inferred beyond a reasonable doubt from the proven facts. In doing so, you may consider the person's conduct and all of the circumstances surrounding that conduct, including, but not limited to, the following: what, if anything, did the person do or say; what result, if any, followed the person's conduct; and was that result the natural, necessary and probable consequence of that conduct. Therefore, in this case, from the facts you find to have been proven, decide whether you can infer beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant had the intent required for the commission of this crime. Page 41

INTENT TO DEFRAUD As I previously explained, a person acts with intent to defraud when his or her conscious objective or purpose is to do SO. In order to prove an intent to defraud, the People need not prove that the defendant acted with the intent to defraud any particular person or entity. A general intent to defraud any person or entity suffices. Intent to defraud is also not constricted to an intent to deprive another of property or money and can extend beyond economic concerns. INTENT TO COMMIT OR CONCEAL ANOTHER CRIME For the count of Falsifying Business Records in the First Degree, the intent to defraud must include an intent to commit another crime or to aid or conceal the commission thereof. Under our law, although the People must prove an intent to commit another crime or to aid or conceal the commission thereof, they need not prove that the other crime was in fact committed, aided, or concealed. Page 42

NEW YORK ELECTION LAW § 17-152 PREDICATE The People allege that the other crime the defendant intended to commit, aid, or conceal is a violation of New York Election Law section 17-152. Section 17-152 of the New York Election Law provides that any two or more persons who conspire to promote or prevent the election of any person to a public office by unlawful means and which conspiracy is acted upon by one or more of the parties thereto, shall be guilty of conspiracy to promote or prevent an election. Under our law, a person is guilty of such a conspiracy when, with intent that conduct be performed that would promote or prevent the election of a person to public office by unlawful means, he or she agrees with one or more persons to engage in or cause the performance of such conduct. Knowledge of a conspiracy does not by itself make the defendant a coconspirator. The defendant must intend that conduct be performed that would promote or prevent the election of a person to public office by unlawful means. Intent means conscious objective or purpose. Thus, a person acts with the intent that conduct be performed that would promote or prevent the election of a person to public office by unlawful means when his or her conscious objective or purpose is that such conduct be performed. Evidence that defendant was present when others agreed to engage in the performance of a crime does not by itself show that he personally agreed to engage in the conspiracy. Page 43

"By Unlawful Means" Although you must conclude unanimously that the defendant conspired to promote or prevent the election of any person to a public office by unlawful means, you need not be unanimous as to what those unlawful means were. In determining whether the defendant conspired to promote or prevent the election of any person to a public office by unlawful means, you may consider the following unlawful means: (1) violations of the Federal Election Campaign Act otherwise known as FECA; (2) the falsification of other business records; or (3) violation of tax laws. THE FEDERAL ELECTION CAMPAIGN ACT The first of the People's theories of “unlawful means" which I will now define for you is the Federal Election Campaign Act. Under the Federal Election Campaign Act, it is unlawful for an individual to willfully make a contribution to any candidate with respect to any election for federal office, including the office of President of the United States, which exceeds a certain limit. In 2015 and 2016, that limit was $2,700. It is also unlawful under the Federal Election Campaign Act for any corporation to willfully make a contribution of any amount to a candidate or candidate's campaign in connection with any federal election, or for any person to cause such a corporate contribution. For purposes of these prohibitions, an expenditure made in cooperation, consultation, or concert with, or at the request or suggestion of, a candidate or his agents shall be considered to be a contribution to such candidate. Page 44

The terms CONTRIBUTION and EXPENDITURE include anything of value, including any purchase, payment, loan, or advance, made by any person for the purpose of influencing any election for federal office. Under federal law, a third party's payment of a candidate's expenses is deemed to be a contribution to the candidate unless the payment would have been made irrespective of the candidacy. If the payment would have been made even in the absence of the candidacy, the payment should not be treated as a contribution. FECA's definitions of "contribution" and "expenditure" do not include any cost incurred in covering or carrying a news story, commentary, or editorial by a magazine, periodical publication, or similar press entity, so long as such activity is a normal, legitimate press function. This is called the press exemption. For example, the term legitimate press function includes solicitation letters seeking new subscribers to a publication. FALSIFICATION OF OTHER BUSINESS RECORDS The People's second theory of "unlawful means" which I will define for you is the falsification of other business records. Under New York law, a person is guilty of Falsifying. Business Records in the Second Degree when with intent to defraud, he or she makes or causes a false entry in the business records of an enterprise. I previously defined for you the terms enterprise, business records, and intent to defraud. Page 45

For purposes of determining whether Falsifying Business Records in the Second Degree was an unlawful means used by a conspiracy to promote or prevent an election here, you may consider: (i) the bank records associated with Michael Cohen's account formation paperwork for the Resolution Consultants LLC and Essential Consultants LLC accounts; (ii) the bank records associated with Michael Cohen's wire to Keith Davidson; (iii) the invoice from Investor Advisory Services Inc. to Resolution Consultants LLC; and (iv) the 1099-MISC forms that the Trump Organization issued to Michael Cohen. VIOLATION OF TAX LAWS The People's third theory of "unlawful means" which I will define for you is a Violation of Tax Laws. Under New York State and New York City law, it is unlawful to knowingly supply or submit materially false or fraudulent information in connection with any tax return. Likewise, under federal law, it is unlawful for a person to willfully make any tax return, statement, or other document that is fraudulent or false as to any material matter, or that the person does not believe to be true and correct as to every material matter. Under these federal, state, and local laws, such conduct is unlawful even if it does not result in underpayment of taxes. Page 46

In order for you to find the defendant guilty of the crime of Falsifying Business Records in the First Degree under Count 34, the People are required to prove, from all of the evidence in the case, beyond a reasonable doubt, each of the following two elements: 1. That on or about December 5, 2017, in the county of New York and elsewhere, the defendant, personally, or by acting in concert with another person or persons, made or caused a false entry in the business records of an enterprise, specifically, a Donald J. Trump account check and check stub dated December 5, 2017, bearing check number 003006, and kept or maintained by the Trump Organization; and 2. That the defendant did so with intent to defraud that included an intent to commit another crime or to aid or conceal the commission thereof. If you find the People have proven beyond a reasonable doubt both of those two elements, you must find the defendant guilty of this crime. If you find the People have not proven beyond a reasonable doubt either one or both of those two elements, you must find the defendants not guilty of this crime. Page 47

Motive When Not Element of Crime Let me now explain motive, and in particular, the difference between motive and intent. Intent means conscious objective or purpose. Thus, a person commits a criminal act with intent when that person's conscious objective or purpose is to engage in the act which the law forbids or to bring about an unlawful result. Motive, on the other hand, is the reason why a person chooses to engage in criminal conduct. If intent is an element of a charged crime, that element must be proved by the People beyond a reasonable doubt. this case, intent is, as I have explained, an element of the crime of Falsifying Business Records in the First degree. Motive, however, is not an element of the crimes charged. Therefore, the People are not required to prove a motive for the commission of the charged crimes. Nevertheless, evidence of a motive, or evidence of the lack of a motive, may be considered by the jury. For example, if you find from the evidence that the defendant had a motive to commit the crime charged, that is a circumstance you may wish to consider as tending to support a finding of guilt. On the other hand, if the proof establishes that the defendant had no motive to commit the crime charged, that is a circumstance you may wish to consider as tending to establish that the defendant is not guilty of the crime charged. Page 48

Deliberations Your verdict, on each count you consider, whether guilty or not guilty, must be unanimous; that is, each and every juror must agree to it. To reach a unanimous verdict you must deliberate with the other jurors. That means you should discuss the evidence and consult with each other, listen to each other, give each other's views careful consideration, and reason together when considering the evidence. And when you deliberate, you should do so with a view towards reaching an agreement if that can be done without surrendering individual judgment. Each of you must decide the case for yourself, but only after a fair and impartial consideration of the evidence with the other jurors. You should not surrender an honest view of the evidence simply because you want the trial to end, or because you are outvoted. At the same time, you should not hesitate to reexamine your views and change your mind if you become convinced that your position was not correct. Page 49

Jury Note Taking Some jurors took notes. Any notes taken are only an aid to your memory and must not take precedence over your independent recollection. Those jurors who chose not to take notes must rely on their own independent recollection and must not be influenced by any notes that another juror may have taken. Any notes you took are only for your own personal use in refreshing your recollection. A juror's notes are not a substitute for the recorded transcript of the testimony or for any exhibit received in evidence. If there is a discrepancy between a juror's recollection and his or her notes regarding the evidence, you should ask to have the relevant testimony read back or the exhibit produced in the jury room. In addition, a juror's notes are not a substitute for the detailed explanation I have given you of the principles of law that govern this case. If there is a discrepancy between a juror's recollection and his or her notes regarding those principles, you should ask me to explain those principles again, and I will be happy to do so. Page 50

Exhibits, Readback & Law Questions You may see any or all of the exhibits that were received in evidence. Simply write me a note telling me which exhibit or exhibits you want to see. You may also have the testimony of any witness read back to you in whole or in part. Again, if you want a read back, write me a note telling me what testimony you wish to hear. If you are interested in hearing only a portion of a witness' testimony, please specify in your note which witness and, with as much detail as possible, which part of the testimony you want to hear. Of course, when testimony is read back, questions to which an objection was sustained and material otherwise struck from the record is not read back. If you have a question on the law, write me a note specifying what you want me to review with you. Page 51

Foreperson's Role Under our law, the first juror selected is known as the foreperson. During deliberations, the foreperson's opinion and vote are not entitled to any more importance than that of any other juror. What we ask the foreperson to do during deliberations is to sign any written note that the jury sends to the court. The foreperson does not have to write the note or agree with its contents. The foreperson's signature indicates only that the writing comes from the jury. The foreperson may also chair the jury's discussions during deliberations. When the jury has reached a verdict, guilty or not guilty, the entire jury will be asked to come into court. The foreperson will be asked whether the jury has reached a verdict. If the foreperson says yes, the foreperson will then be asked what the verdict is for each charged count. After that, the entire jury will be asked whether that is their verdict and will answer yes or no. Finally, upon the request of a party, each juror will be asked individually whether the announced verdict is the verdict of that juror, and upon being asked, each juror will answer yes or no. Page 52

Verdict Sheet The I will give you a form known as a verdict sheet. verdict sheet lists each count submitted for your consideration and the possible verdicts. Please use the form to record your verdict with an X or a check mark in the appropriate place. In addition to listing the counts, I have added some additional language on the verdict sheet in order to distinguish the counts: You will notice that I have indicated whether a count pertains to an invoice, a voucher or a check. For the invoices, I have added the date and for the vouchers and checks I have added the number. The sole reason for doing this is to help you distinguish between the various counts. It is not a substitute for my full instructions on the meaning and elements of each charge, and it should not discourage you from asking me to define a crime again if a question about it arises. Page 53

Jury Deliberation Rules Finally, there are a few remaining rules which you must observe during your deliberations. 1. While you are here in the courthouse, deliberating on the case, you will be kept together in the jury room. You may not leave the jury room during deliberations. Lunch will of course be provided. If you have a cell phone or other electronic device, please give it to a court officer to hold for you while you are engaged in deliberations. 2. You must deliberate about the case only when you are all gathered together in the jury room. You must not, for example, discuss the case as you go to and from the courtroom. It is important that each juror have the opportunity to hear whatever another juror has to say about the case, and that by law must only be done when you are all gathered together in the jury room. Thus, if for any reason, all twelve of you are not gathered together in the jury room, please stop deliberating until you are all present. 3. During your deliberations, you must discuss the case only among yourselves; you must not discuss the case with anyone else, including a court officer, or permit anyone other than a fellow juror to discuss the case in your presence. 4. If you have a question or request, you must communicate with me by writing a note, which you will give to a court officer to give to me. The law requires that you communicate with me in writing in part to make sure there are no misunderstandings. 5. We will work every day until about 4:30. However, we can work later if the jury wishes to do so and all the jurors are in agreement. Simply send me a note as early in the day as possible and let me know that you wish to stay beyond 4:30 and if so, what time you would like to work until. Depending on the time you select, we may order dinner for you. I should explain that, under our law, I am not permitted to have a conversation about the facts of the case, or a possible verdict, or the vote of the jury on any count with any one juror, or group of jurors, or even all the jurors. Thus, in any note that you send me, do not tell me what the vote of the jury is on any count.

If a juror wants to speak to me during deliberations, a meeting here in the courtroom with the parties will be arranged. No juror, however, can tell me what is being said about the facts of the case, or a possible verdict, or what the vote of any juror or the jury is on any count. And, while I will of course listen to whatever a juror has to say that does not involve those subjects, I may not be able to respond to that juror if the response involves instructions on the law. I may be required to call into court the entire jury and respond by speaking to the entire jury. The reason for that is that our law wants to make sure that each and every juror hears, at exactly the same time, whatever I have to say about the law, and our law wants to make sure that the jury hears those instructions from me and not from another juror. That concludes my instructions on the law.

Our Coverage of the Trump Hush-Money Trial

Guilty Verdict : Donald Trump was convicted on all 34 counts  of falsifying records to cover up a sex scandal that threatened his bid for the White House in 2016, making him the first American president to be declared a felon .

Next Steps: The judge in the case set Trump’s sentencing for July 11, and Trump already indicated that he plans to appeal. Here’s what else may happen .

Reactions: Trump’s conviction reverberated quickly across the country. Here’s what Trump , voters , New Yorkers , Republicans  and the White House  had to say.

Making the Case: Over six weeks and the testimony of 20 witnesses, the Manhattan district attorney’s office wove a sprawling story  of election interference and falsified business records.

Legal Luck Runs Out: The four criminal cases that threatened Trump’s freedom had been stumbling along, pleasing his advisers. Then his good fortune expired .

Connecting the Dots: As rumors circulated of Trump’s reported infidelity, two accounts of women  being paid to stay silent about their encounters became central to his indictment.