State of New Jersey, Plaintiff-Respondent v. Gregory Ragland, Defendant-Appellant

Summary

The Supreme Court of New Jersey reversed Gregory Ragland's conviction, holding that the trial court's jury instruction that referenced a prior finding of possession and used the word "must" effectively directed a guilty verdict, violating the defendant's right to a fair jury trial. The Court also affirmed that the use of "must" in jury charges is not per se unconstitutional, but such language becomes improper when it directs a verdict.