In re Standard Jury Instructions in Criminal Cases—Report 2010-05

87 So. 3d 679, 2012 WL 399879
CourtSupreme Court of Florida
DecidedFebruary 9, 2012
DocketNo. SC10-2434
StatusPublished
Cited by5 cases

This text of 87 So. 3d 679 (In re Standard Jury Instructions in Criminal Cases—Report 2010-05) 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 2010-05, 87 So. 3d 679, 2012 WL 399879 (Fla. 2012).

Opinion

PER CURIAM.

The Supreme Court Committee on Standard Jury Instructions in Criminal Cases (Committee) has submitted proposed changes to the standard criminal jury instructions. We have jurisdiction. See art. V, § 2(a), Fla. Const.

On December 22, 2010, the Committee filed its report proposing amendments to the standard criminal jury instructions.1 The majority of the Committee’s proposals derive from recommendations by Committee members based upon changes in statutory and decisional law.2

Having considered the Committee’s report, we hereby authorize the publication and use of the following instructions as proposed by the Committee: 3.8(a) — Evidence of Other Crimes, Wrongs, or Acts; 13.3 — Trespass in a Structure or Convey-[680]*680anee; 16.4(a) — Contributing to Child Dependency, Person 21 or Older Impregnating Child Under 16; 24.6 — Prohibition of Certain Acts in Connection with Obscene Materials; Promoting or Performing; 28.14-28.17 — Boating Under the Influence; and 29.14 — Taking Deer/Wild Turkey with Gun and Light.

The Court also authorizes for publication and use instruction 2.13, Questions by Jurors, as proposed by the Committee but with the following modification.3 Instruction 2.13, in addition to the Committee’s proposed amendment, is further amended to include the following sentence: “If your question[s] is [are] not asked, you must not discuss it with other jurors or hold it against either party.” This modification to the Committee’s proposal is consistent with Florida Rule of Criminal Procedure 3.371, Juror Questions of Witnesses, which provides in pertinent part:

(b) Procedure. The trial judge shall utilize the following procedure if a juror indicates that the juror wishes to ask a question: ... (5) the jury must be advised that if a question submitted by a juror is not allowed for any reason, the juror must not discuss it with the other jurors and must not hold it against either party.

Fla. R.Crim. P. 3.371(b)(5).

Lastly, on the Court’s own motion, instruction 3.10, Rules for Deliberation, is amended to also include a paragraph to be given when a juror’s question was not asked of a witness.4

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. We further caution all interested parties that any comments associated with the instructions reflect only the opinion of the Committee and are not necessarily indicative of the views of this Court as to their correctness or applicability. New language is indicated by underlining and deleted language is indicated by struck-through type. The instructions as set forth in the appendix shall be effective when this opinion becomes final.5

It is so ordered.

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

APPENDIX

2.13 QUESTIONS BY JURORS

Note to Judge.

To be given if the Judge decides to permit.jury questions.

[681]*681 To be given if a juror(s)-indicates that ihe-yu/ror-ivishes-be-aska-qnestion:

During the trial, you will be permitted to ask questions of witnesses in case you missed something, you did not understand something, or you need to clarify a pertinent issue.

The rules of evidence apply regardless of whether a question is asked by the attorneys, by me or by you. Therefore, there may be a legal reason why I will not ask your question. If I do not ask your question, you must not hold that against any of the parties, you must not discuss it with the other jurors, and please do not take it personally.

Subject to that understanding, this is how we will proceed: (Two possible procedures are outlined below. Give only one. The second alternative is designed to ensure anonymity).

1) When the attorneys have finished asking their questions, please raise your hand to get my attention. I will give you time to write your question[s] on a clean piece of paper and give the paper to the [bailiff] [court deputy]. I will then confer privately with the attorneys. If I ask your question[s], the witness will answer and the attorneys may follow up if they choose. The questioning of witnesses is the primary responsibility of the attorneys. If your question[s] is [are] not asked, you must not discuss it with other jurors or hold it against either party. You are not obligated to ask any questions, but if it will help your understanding of the case, you may do so.
2) When the attorneys have finished asking their questions, I will ask each of you to write something down on a clean piece of paper. If you do not have a question, please write — “no questions.” If you have [a] question[s], please write the questions] on the paper. Please do not put your name on the paper because I do not want anyone to know which juror is submitting a question. Please then fold the paper in half and give it to the [court deputy][bailiff]. I will then confer privately with the attorneys. If I ask the question^], the witness will answer and the attorneys may follow up if they choose. The questioning of witnesses is the primary responsibility of the attorneys. If your questions] is [are] not asked, you must not discuss it with other jurors or hold it against either party. You are not obligated to ask any questions, but if it will help your understanding of the case, you may do so.

A juror- has indicated that the juror wishes to ask a question-of the witness. After the attorneys have-completed-their questioning of the witness,-1 will — give sufficient-time for the juror to write the question on the paper-which you-have been provided, fold it and give it to the bailiff, who-will pass-it-to me. Please do not show — your- question-to anyone-or discuss it with anyone.

I will-then review-the question with the attorneys. — Under our-law, only-certain evidence may be -considered by a jury in determining-a verdict. — You are bound by-the same rules of evidence and procedure — that.control—the attorneys’ questions- If I decide-that a question majr not be asked under our rules of evidence-or procedure,-I will tell you. [682]*682Otherwise» I will direct-the question to the witness, — The attorneys may ask-fol-Iow-up-questions,

Comment

This instruction was adopted in 2007 [SC05-1091] and amended in 2011.

3.8(a) EVIDENCE OF OTHER CRIMES, WRONGS, OR ACTS “WILLIAMS RULE”

§ 90.404(2)(a) Fla. Stat.

To be given at the close of evidence, if applicable.

The evidence which has been admitted to show other crimes, wrongs, or acts allegedly committed by the defendant will be considered by you only as that evidence relates to proof of [motive] [opportunity] [intent] [preparation] [plan] [knowledge] [identity] [the absence of mistake or accident] on the part of the defendant.

The defendant cannot be convicted for a crime, wrong, or act that is not included in the [information] [indictment].

Comments

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Bluebook (online)
87 So. 3d 679, 2012 WL 399879, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/in-re-standard-jury-instructions-in-criminal-casesreport-2010-05-fla-2012.