In Re: Standard Jury Instructions in Criminal Cases-Report 2017-09.

238 So. 3d 192
CourtSupreme Court of Florida
DecidedMarch 8, 2018
DocketSC17-2013
StatusPublished
Cited by4 cases

This text of 238 So. 3d 192 (In Re: Standard Jury Instructions in Criminal Cases-Report 2017-09.) 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 2017-09., 238 So. 3d 192 (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, including amending specific instructions *193 and adopting new ones. The Committee asks the Court to authorize the new and amended standard jury instructions for publication and use. We have jurisdiction. See art. V, § 2(a), Fla. Const.

The Committee proposes amending standard criminal jury instructions 3.9(c) (Eyewitness Identification), 5.1 (Attempt to Commit Crime), 21.10 (Tampering with a [Witness] [Victim] [Informant] ), and 21.12 (Corruption by [Harm] [Threat of Harm] Against a Public Servant). In addition, the Committee proposes the following new instructions: 2.13 (Prior Inconsistent Statement as Impeachment); 8.26 (Sexual Cyberharassment); 25.13(f) ( [Ownership] [Lease] [Rental] of a Place for [ [Trafficking in] [Sale of] a Controlled Substance] [Manufacturing a Controlled Substance Intended for Sale or Distribution] ); and 28.19 (Reckless [Operation of a Vessel] [Manipulation] ). Following publication in The Florida Bar News , the Committee received comments pertaining to the proposals to add or amend instructions 2.13, 8.26, and 25.13(f). The more significant amendments to the instructions are discussed below.

First, new instruction 2.13, if applicable and requested, informs the jurors how they are allowed to consider prior inconsistent statements introduced at trial for impeachment purposes only. 1 Next, we amend instruction 3.9(c) on the basis that the Legislature enacted section 92.70, Florida Statutes (2017), effective October 1, 2017. See ch. 2017-91, Laws of Fla. Section 92.70 pertains to eyewitness identification and requires compliance with specific lineup procedures. Instruction 3.9(c), as amended, instructs jurors as to those procedures and that they may consider evidence of compliance or lack of compliance with those procedures to determine the reliability of eyewitness identifications.

Having considered the Committee's report and the comments submitted, we authorize for publication and use new and amended instructions 2.13, 3.9(c), 5.1, 8.26, 21.10, 21.12, 25.13(f), and 28.19, as proposed, and as set forth in the appendix to this opinion. 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.

*194 APPENDIX

2.13 PRIOR INCONSISTENT STATEMENT AS IMPEACHMENT

To be given if applicable and if requested.

The evidence that a witness may have made a prior statement that is inconsistent with [his] [her] testimony in court should be considered only for the purpose of weighing the credibility of the witness's testimony and should not be considered as evidence or proof of the truth of the prior statement or for any other purpose.

Comments

This instruction should not be used for prior inconsistent statements that are admissible as substantive evidence and not merely as impeachment, e.g., prior testimony at a trial, hearing or other proceeding ( § 90.801(2)(a), Fla. Stat.) or statements by a defendant ( § 90.803(18), Fla. Stat.).

This instruction was adopted in 2018.

3.9(c) EYEWITNESS IDENTIFICATION

Give if eyewitness identification is a disputed issue and if requested.

You have heard testimony of eyewitness identification. In deciding how much weight to give to this testimony, you may consider the various factors mentioned in these instructions concerning credibility of witnesses.

In addition to those factors, in evaluating eyewitness identification testimony, you may also consider:

1. The capacity and opportunity of the eyewitness to observe the offender based upon the length of time for observation and the conditions at the time of observation, including lighting and distance.
2. Whether the identification was the product of the eyewitness's own recollection or was the result of influence or suggestiveness.
3. The circumstances under which the defendant was presented to the eyewitness for identification.
4. Any inconsistent identifications made by the eyewitness.
5. Any instance in which the eyewitness did not make an identification when given the opportunity to do so.
6. The witness's familiarity with the subject identified.
7. Lapses of time between the event and the identification[s].
8. Whether the eyewitness and the offender are of different races or ethnic groups, and whether this may have affected the accuracy of the identification.
9. The totality of circumstances surrounding the eyewitness's identification.

Lineup Requirements. Give if applicable. § 92.70, Fla. Stat.

You have heard testimony concerning a [live] [photo] lineup conducted by a law enforcement agency. Florida law requires that the person conducting the lineup must not have participated in the investigation of the crime alleged and must not have been aware of which person in the lineup was the suspect.

When an independent administrator was not used. Give as applicable.

As an alternative, it is permissible under Florida law if

[an automated computer program automatically administered the photo lineup directly to an eyewitness and pre *195 vented the person conducting the lineup from seeing which photograph the eyewitness viewed until after the procedure was completed.]

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Bluebook (online)
238 So. 3d 192, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/in-re-standard-jury-instructions-in-criminal-cases-report-2017-09-fla-2018.