Marla sued Toby for breach of contract under the laws of the state of Texarkana. Contract laws under this jurisdiction establish that the plaintiff has the burden of proving that there was an offer to enter into a contractual agreement, that the parties understood the nature of the agreement and accepted the terms of the agreement, and that the parties signed a written and legally binding document to establish that a contract was formed. During trial, Marla's attorney provided documentation of the negotiations, the testimony of Marla's secretary who witnessed the negotiations, and the original written and signed contract. At the close of the introduction of evidence to the court, which of the following motions may the defendant's attorney make?

During his closing statement, Alex, attorney for the defendant, begins arguing that the law does not support the plaintiff's position and that the plaintiff has no case. The plaintiff's attorney objects to the closing statement on the grounds that it is improper. In his response that the closing statement was proper, the Judge explains the purpose of a closing statement. Which of the following purposes is not proper and, therefore, excluded from the Judge's explanation?

The purpose of jury instructions in most jurisdictions is to: