HB 353 Summary

• Adds AS 12.45.117 to require trial court judges to instruct juries that they have the right to judge both the law and facts in criminal proceedings.

• Requires judges to instruct juries of their power to find a defendant not guilty when a guilty verdict would be manifestly unjust.

• Indirectly amends Rule 30 of the Alaska Rules of Criminal Procedure by mandating specific jury instruction requirements.

• Takes effect only if the indirect court rule amendment provision receives a two-thirds majority vote in both houses of the Alaska Legislature, as required by Article IV, Section 15 of the Alaska Constitution.