In Re: Standard Jury Instructions in Criminal Cases-Report 2017-05.

236 So. 3d 244
CourtSupreme Court of Florida
DecidedFebruary 8, 2018
DocketSC17-1714
StatusPublished
Cited by2 cases

This text of 236 So. 3d 244 (In Re: Standard Jury Instructions in Criminal Cases-Report 2017-05.) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering Supreme Court of Florida primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
In Re: Standard Jury Instructions in Criminal Cases-Report 2017-05., 236 So. 3d 244 (Fla. 2018).

Opinion

PER CURIAM.

The Supreme Court Committee on Standard Jury Instructions in Criminal Cases (Committee) has submitted proposed changes to the standard jury instructions and asks that the Court authorize for publication and use the amended standard instructions. We have jurisdiction. See art. V, § 2(a), Fla. Const.

The Committee proposes amending the following standard criminal jury instructions: 28.4 (Leaving the Scene of a Crash Involving [Death] [Serious Bodily Injury] [Injury] ); 28.4(a) (Leaving the Scene of a Crash Involving Only Damage to an Attended Vehicle or Attended Property); 28.4(b) (Leaving the Scene of a Crash Involving Damage to an Unattended Vehicle or Unattended Property); 28.6 (Fleeing to Elude a Law Enforcement Officer); 28.7 (Fleeing to Elude a Law Enforcement Officer (Siren and Lights Activated) ); 28.8 (Fleeing to Elude a Law Enforcement Officer (Siren and Lights Activated with High Speed or Reckless Driving); 28.8(a) (Fleeing to Elude a Law Enforcement Officer (Siren and Lights Activated with High Speed or Reckless Driving Causing Serious Bodily Injury or Death) ); 28.8(b) (Aggravated Fleeing or Eluding (Leaving a Crash Involving Serious Bodily Injury, Injury or Death then Causing Serious Bodily Injury or Death) ); 28.8(c) (Aggravated Fleeing or Eluding (Leaving a Crash Involving Damage to a Vehicle or Property then Causing Serious Bodily Injury or Death) ); 28.8(d) (Aggravated Fleeing or Eluding (Leaving a Crash Involving Serious Bodily Injury, Injury or Death then Causing Injury or Property Damage to Another) ); and 28.8(e) (Aggravated Fleeing or Eluding (Leaving a Crash Involving Damage to a Vehicle or Property then Causing Injury or Property Damage to Another) ).

*245 The Committee published all of the proposals in the January 15, 2017, edition of The Florida Bar News . The Committee made responsive changes to a majority of the proposals following its receipt of comments. The Court did not publish the proposals after they were filed. Having considered the Committee's report, we authorize for publication and use the above-listed instructions as proposed.

We note the more significant amendments to the standard criminal jury instructions 1 as follows. First, instructions 28.4, 28.8(b), 28.8(c), 28.8(d), and 28.8(e) are amended to remove the phrase "or accident" from the elements of the offenses. Second, the Leaving the Scene instructions, 28.4, 28.4(a), and 28.4(b), and the Aggravated Fleeing or Eluding instructions, 28.8(b), 28.8(c), 28.8(d), and 28.8(e), are amended to add a citation to Gaulden v. State , 195 So.3d 1123 (Fla. 2016), with the definition for the phrase "a vehicle is 'involved in a crash,' " meaning "if it collides with another vehicle, person, or object."

Having considered the Committee's report, we authorize the amended instructions, as set forth in the appendix to this opinion, for publication and use. 2 New language is indicated by underlining, and deleted language is indicated by struck-through type. In authorizing the publication and use of these instructions, we express no opinion on their correctness and remind all interested parties that this authorization forecloses neither requesting additional or alternative instructions nor contesting the legal correctness of the instructions. The instructions as set forth in the appendix shall become effective when this opinion becomes final.

It is so ordered.

LABARGA, C.J., and PARIENTE, LEWIS, QUINCE, CANADY, POLSTON, and LAWSON, JJ., concur.

APPENDIX

*246 28.4_ LEAVING THE SCENE OF A CRASH INVOLVING [DEATH] [SERIOUS BODILY INJURY] [INJURY]

§ 316.027(2), Fla. Stat.; § 316.062, Fla. Stat.

To prove the crime of Leaving the Scene of a Crash Involving [Death] [Injury], the State must prove the following four elements beyond a reasonable doubt:

1. (Defendant) was the driver of a vehicle involved in a crash or accident occurring on public or private property resulting in [injury to] [death of] any person.
2. (Defendant) knew that [he] [she] was involved in a crash or accident.

Give 3a if death is charged or 3b if injury or serious bodily injury is charged.

3. a. (Defendant) knew, or should have known from all of the circumstances, including the nature of the crash or accident, of the injury to or death of the person.
b. (Defendant) knew, or should have known from all of the circumstances, including the nature of the crash or accident, of the injury to the person.

Give 4a, 4b, or both as applicable.

4. a. (Defendant) willfully failed to stop at the scene of the crash or accident or as close to the crash or accident as possible and remain there until [he] [she] had given identifying information to the [injured person] [driver] [occupant] [person attending the vehicle] and to any police officer investigating the crash or accident.
[or]
*247 b. (Defendant) willfully failed to render reasonable assistance to the injured person if such treatment appeared to be necessary or was requested by the injured person.

If the State proves that the defendant willfully failed to give any part of the "identifying information" or willfully failed to give reasonable assistance, the State satisfies this element of the offense.

Give if serious bodily injury is charged. § 316.027(1)(a), Fla. Stat.; § 316.027(2)(b), Fla. Stat.

If you find that (defendant) committed the crime of Leaving the Scene of a Crash Involving Injury, you must then determine whether the State proved beyond a reasonable doubt that the injury was a serious bodily injury.

"Serious bodily injury" means an injury to a person, including the driver, which consists of a physical condition that creates a substantial risk of death, serious disfigurement, or protracted loss or impairment of the function of a bodily member or organ.

Enhancement. Give when the State alleged the victim was a "vulnerable road user." § 316.027(2)(f), Fla. Stat.

If you find that (defendant) committed the crime of Leaving the Scene of a Crash Involving [Death] [Serious Bodily Injury] [or] [Injury], you must then determine whether the State proved beyond a reasonable doubt that the [injured person] [person who died] was:

[a pedestrian].
[actually engaged in work upon a highway].
[actually engaged in work upon utility facilities along a highway].

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236 So. 3d 244, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/in-re-standard-jury-instructions-in-criminal-cases-report-2017-05-fla-2018.