The judge will also define the offenses alleged in the indictment and explain the elements that the State must prove for each of the charged offenses. Any defenses will also be explained. The judge must charge the jury on a defendant's sole defense, even without a written request, if there is evidence to support the charge. Price v. State, 289 Ga. 459 (2011); Tarvestad v. State, 261 Ga. 605 (1991).
A jury charge cannot shift the burden of proof to the defendant. Ward v. State, 312 Ga. App. 609 (2011).