Supreme Court of Florida
____________
No. SC14-1308
____________
IN RE: STANDARD JURY INSTRUCTIONS IN CRIMINAL CASES—
REPORT NO. 2014-05.
[February 5, 2015]
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 the amended standard instructions for
publication and use. We have jurisdiction. See art. V, § 2(a), Fla. Const.
The Committee filed its report in this case, proposing amendments to the
following standard criminal jury instructions: 1.6 (Note-Taking by Jurors); 2.5
(Conviction of Certain Crimes as Impeachment); 2.8 (Jury to be Guided by Official
English Translation/Interpretation, Preliminary Instructions); 2.13 (Questions by
Jurors); 2.14 (Pro Se Defendant); 8.10 (Assault on Law Enforcement Officer,
Firefighter, Etc.); 8.11 (Battery on Law Enforcement Officer, Firefighter, Etc.);
8.12 (Aggravated Assault on Law Enforcement Officer, Firefighter, Etc.); and 8.13
(Aggravated Battery on Law Enforcement Officer, Firefighter, Etc.). The
Committee also proposed the following new jury instructions: 2.1(d) (Insanity—
Psychotropic Medication); and 29.16(a) (Unlawful Protests). The Committee
published its proposals in The Florida Bar News. Two comments were received by
the Committee. The Committee altered its proposal to instruction 2.14 based on
one of the comments but did not alter its proposal to instruction 1.6. The Court did
not publish the proposals after they were filed.
Having considered the Committee’s report and the comments submitted to
the Committee, we amend the standard jury instructions as proposed by the
Committee, with one modification discussed below, and authorize them for
publication and use.
Some of the more significant changes to the standard jury instructions are as
follows.
Instruction 1.6 (Note-Taking by Jurors) is renumbered to instruction 2.1(a)
in order that it falls into the category of “Instructions During Trial” rather than the
instructions under category 1 of “Instructions Before the Trial.”
New instruction 2.1(d) (Insanity—Psychotropic Medication) fills a gap, as it
will be given during the trial, and is identical to instruction 3.6(c) (Insanity—
Psychotropic Medication), which is given in the final charge to the jury.
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Instruction 2.8 (Jury to be Guided by Official English Translation/
Interpretation, Preliminary Instructions), is renumbered to instruction 2.1(b), while
instruction number 2.8 is “reserved.”
Instruction 2.13 (Questions by Jurors) is renumbered to instruction 2.1(c),
while instruction number 2.13 is “reserved.”
Instruction 2.14 (Pro Se Defendant) is renumbered to instruction 1.6,
because the instruction should be given prior to jury selection, and thus not
included in the category of “Instructions During the Trial.”1
The new and amended criminal jury instructions, as set forth in the appendix
to this opinion, are hereby authorized 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
1. The Committee had proposed renumbering instruction 2.14 to 1.2;
however, number 1.2 is designated “Jury Selection” and is reserved. Instruction
numbers 1.3 (Challenges to Jurors), 1.4 (Statement of the Charge), and 1.5
(Questioning in Capital Cases) are also reserved.
2. The amendments as reflected in the appendix are to the Criminal Jury
Instructions as they appear on the Court’s website at www.floridasupremecourt.org
/jury_instructions/instructions.shtml. We recognize that there may be minor
discrepancies between the instructions as they appear on the website and the
published versions of the instructions. Any discrepancies as to instructions
authorized for publication and use after October 25, 2007, should be resolved by
reference to the published opinion of this Court authorizing the instruction.
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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. The instructions as set forth in the appendix shall be
effective when this opinion becomes final.
It is so ordered.
LABARGA, C.J., and PARIENTE, LEWIS, QUINCE, CANADY, POLSTON,
and PERRY, JJ., concur.
NOT FINAL UNTIL TIME EXPIRES TO FILE REHEARING MOTION, AND
IF FILED, DETERMINED.
Original Proceedings – Supreme Court Committee on Standard Jury Instructions in
Criminal Cases
Judge Jerri Lynn Collins, Chair, Supreme Court Committee on Standard Jury
Instructions in Criminal Cases, Sanford, Florida; and Bart Neil Schneider, Staff
Liaison, Office of the State Courts Administrator, Tallahassee, Florida,
for Petitioner
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APPENDIX
1.62.1(a) NOTE-TAKING BY JURORS
If you would like to take notes during the trial, you may do so. On the
other hand, of course, you are not required to take notes if you do not want to.
That will be left up to you individually.
You will be provided with a note pad and a pen for use if you wish to
take notes. Any notes that you take will be for your personal use. However,
you should not take them with you from the courtroom. During recesses, the
[bailiff] [court deputy] will take possession of your notes and will return them
to you when we reconvene. After you have completed your deliberations, the
[bailiff] [court deputy] will deliver your notes to me. They will be destroyed.
No one will ever read your notes.
If you take notes, do not get so involved in note-taking that you become
distracted from the proceedings. Your notes should be used only as aids to
your memory.
Whether or not you take notes, you should rely on your memory of the
evidence and you should not be unduly influenced by the notes of other jurors.
Notes are not entitled to any greater weight than each juror’s memory of the
evidence.
NOTE ON USE
The court should furnish all jurors with the necessary pads and pens for
taking notes. Additionally, it may be desirable for jurors to be furnished with
envelopes to place the notes in for additional privacy.
Comment
This instruction was adopted in 2007 [SC05-1091][967 So. 2d 178] and was
amended in 2015.
2.1(d) INSANITY — PSYCHOTROPIC MEDICATION
Give, if requested by defendant, at the beginning of trial and in the charge to
the jury.
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(Defendant) currently is being administered psychotropic medication
under medical supervision for a mental or emotional condition.
Psychotropic medication is any drug or compound affecting the mind or
behavior, intellectual functions, perception, moods, or emotion and includes
anti-psychotic, anti-depressant, anti-manic, and anti-anxiety drugs.
Comment
This instruction was adopted in 2015.
2.5 CONVICTION OF CERTAIN CRIMES AS IMPEACHMENT
§§ 90.107, 90.610(1), Fla._Stat.
To be given at the time the evidence is admitted, if requested.
The evidence that you are about to receive that [(witness)] [(defendant)]
has been convicted of (crime)a crime should be considered by you only in
weighing the credibility of [(witness’s)] [(defendant’s)] testimony and not for
any other purpose.
Comment
This instruction was adopted in 1995 [657 So. 2d 1152] and amended in
2015.
2.82.1(b) JURY TO BE GUIDED BY OFFICIAL ENGLISH
TRANSLATION/INTERPRETATION
PRELIMINARY INSTRUCTIONS
[(Language used)] may be used during this trial.
The evidence you are to consider is only that provided through the
official court [interpreters] [translators]. Although some of you may know
[(language used)], it is important that all jurors consider the same evidence.
Therefore, you must accept the English [interpretation] [translation]. You
must disregard any different meaning..
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If, however, during the testimony there is a question as to the accuracy
of the English interpretation, you should bring this matter to my attention
immediately by raising your hand. You should not ask your question or make
any comment about the interpretation in the presence of the other jurors, or
otherwise share your question or concern with any of them. I will take steps to
see if your question can be answered and any discrepancy resolved. If,
however, after such efforts a discrepancy remains, I emphasize that you must
rely only upon the official English interpretation as provided by the court
interpreter and disregard any other contrary interpretation.
Comments
This instruction should be given as part of the preliminary instructions to the
jury. SeeSee United States v. Franco, 136 F.3d 622, 626 (9th Cir. 1998); United
States v. Fuentes-Montijo, 68 F.3d 352, 355-56 (9th Cir. 1995).
This instruction was adopted in 2006 [937 So. 2d 1092] and amended in
2015.
2.132.1(c) QUESTIONS BY JURORS
Note to Judge.
To be given if the Judge decides to permit jury questions.
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
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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
question[s] 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] [court deputy].
I will then confer privately with the attorneys. If I ask the
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.
Comment
This instruction was adopted in 2007 [967 So. 2d 178] and amended in 2012
[87 So. 3d 679] and 2015.
2.141.6 PRO SE DEFENDANT
(Defendant) has the right to be represented by an attorney or to
represent [himself] [herself] in this trial, as do all criminal defendants in this
country. [He] [She] has decided instead to exercised [his] [her] constitutional
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right to act as [his] [her] own attorney in this case. You should not allow
thatThis decision toshould not affect your verdictconsideration of this case.
Comment
This instruction was adopted in 2013 [131 So. 3d 720] and 2015.
8.10 ASSAULT ON LAW ENFORCEMENT
OFFICER, FIREFIGHTER, ETC.
§ 784.07(2)(a), Fla. Stat.
To prove the crime of Assault on a [Law Enforcement Officer]
[Firefighter] [Emergency Medical Care Provider] [Traffic Accident
Investigation Officer] [Traffic Infraction Enforcement Officer] [Parking
Enforcement Specialist] [Security Officer eEmployed by the Board of
Trustees of a Community College] [Federal Law Enforcement Officer][Law
Enforcement Explorer] [Non-sworn Law Enforcement Agency Employee
Certified as an Agency Inspector] [Blood Alcohol Analyst] [Breath Test
Operator] [Railroad Special Officer] [Licensed Security Officer], the State
must prove the following six elements beyond a reasonable doubt:
1. (Defendant) intentionally and unlawfully threatened, either
by word or act, to do violence to (victim).
2. At the time, (defendant) appeared to have the ability to carry
out the threat.
3. The act of (defendant) created in the mind of (victim) a well-
founded fear that the violence was about to take place.
4. (Victim) was at the time a [law enforcement officer]
[firefighter] [emergency medical care provider] [traffic
accident investigation officer] [traffic infraction
enforcement officer] [parking enforcement specialist]
[security officer employed by the board of trustees of a
community college] [federal law enforcement officer][law
enforcement explorer] [non-sworn law enforcement agency
employee who was certified as an agency inspector] [blood
alcohol analyst] [breath test operator while such employee
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was in uniform and engaged in processing, testing,
evaluating, analyzing, or transporting a person who was
detained or under arrest for DUI] [railroad special officer]
[licensed security officer who wore a uniform that bore at
least one patch or emblem that was visible at all times that
clearly identified the employing agency and that clearly
identified the person as a licensed security officer].
5. (Defendant) knew (victim) was a [law enforcement officer]
[firefighter] [emergency medical care provider] [traffic
accident investigation officer] [traffic infraction
enforcement officer] [parking enforcement specialist]
[security officer employed by the board of trustees of a
community college] [federal law enforcement officer][law
enforcement explorer] [non-sworn law enforcement agency
employee who was certified as an agency inspector] [blood
alcohol analyst] [breath test operator] [railroad special
officer] [licensed security officer].
6. At the time of the assault, (victim) was engaged in the lawful
performance of [his] [her] duties.
For cases where the alleged victim is a law enforcement officer, do not refer
to the victim by name when instructing on the sentence below. Instead, the
instruction must state the class of officers to which the victim belongs, e.g., deputy
sheriff, probation officer, correctional officer. See Wright v. State, 586 So. 2d 1024
(Fla. 1991).
The court now instructs you that a (name of official position of victim
designated in charge) is a [law enforcement officer] [firefighter] [emergency
medical care provider] [traffic accident investigation officer] [traffic
infraction enforcement officer] [parking enforcement specialist] [security
officer employed by the board of trustees of a community college] [federal law
enforcement officer].
In giving this sentence, do not refer to the victim by name. The instruction
must state the class of officers to which the victim belongs, e.g., probation officer,
correctional officer. See Wright v. State, 586 So.2d 1024 (Fla. 1991).
For cases involving other types of victims, insert definitions from
§ 784.07(1)(a), Fla. Stat., as appropriate.
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Give if applicable. McClain v. State, 383 So. 2d 1146 (Fla. 4th DCA 1980);
Smithson v. State, 689 So. 2d 1226 (Fla. 5th DCA 1997); Gilbert v. State, 347 So.
2d 1087 (Fla. 3d DCA 1977).
If the circumstances were such as to ordinarily induce a well-founded
fear in the mind of a reasonable person, then the victim may be found to have
been in fear, and actual fear on the part of the actual victim need not be
shown.
Lesser Included Offenses
ASSAULT ON LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER, FIREFIGHTER,
ETC. — 784.07(2)(a)
CATEGORY ONE CATEGORY TWO FLA. STAT. INS. NO.
Assault 784.011 8.1
Attempt 777.04(1) 5.1
Comments
Several statutes have been added in recent years providing for
reclassification of assaults and batteries on designated classes: ‘‘ 784.074, 784.075,
784.076, 784.078, 784.081, 784.082, 784.083, and 784.085.
See Spurgeon v. State, 114 So. 3d 1042 (Fla. 5th DCA 2013)(holding that a
conviction for a violation of § 784.07(2), Florida Statutes, had to be vacated
because the statute does not include physicians, employees, agents, or volunteers
of facilities that do not satisfy the definition of a hospital under chapter 395).
This instruction was adopted in 1981 [431 So. 2d 594] and amended in 1992
[603 So. 2d 1175], 1995 [657 So. 2d 1152], and 2007 [962 So. 2d 310], and 2008
[994 So. 2d 1038], and 2015.
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8.11 BATTERY ON LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER,
FIREFIGHTER, ETC.
§ 784.07(2)(b), Fla. Stat.
To prove the crime of Battery on a [Law Enforcement Officer]
[Firefighter] [Emergency Medical Care Provider] [Traffic Accident
Investigation Officer] [Traffic Infraction Enforcement Officer] [Parking
Enforcement Specialist] [Security Officer Employed by the Board of Trustees
of a Community College] [Federal Law Enforcement Officer][Law
Enforcement Explorer] [Non-sworn Law Enforcement Agency Employee
Certified as an Agency Inspector] [Blood Alcohol Analyst] [Breath Test
Operator] [Railroad Special Officer] [Licensed Security Officer], the State
must prove the following four elements beyond a reasonable doubt:
1. (Defendant) intentionally
[touched or struck (victim) against [his] [her] will].
[caused bodily harm to (victim)].
2. (Victim) was a [law enforcement officer] [firefighter]
[emergency medical care provider] [traffic accident
investigation officer] [traffic infraction enforcement officer]
[parking enforcement specialist] [security officer employed
by the board of trustees of a community college] [federal
law enforcement officer][law enforcement explorer] [non-
sworn law enforcement agency employee who was certified
as an agency inspector] [blood alcohol analyst] [breath test
operator while such employee was in uniform and engaged
in processing, testing, evaluating, analyzing, or transporting
a person who was detained or under arrest for DUI]
[railroad special officer] [licensed security officer who wore
a uniform that bore at least one patch or emblem that was
visible at all times that clearly identified the employing
agency and that clearly identified the person as a licensed
security officer].
3. (Defendant) knew (victim) was a [law enforcement officer]
[firefighter] [emergency medical care provider] [traffic
accident investigation officer] [traffic infraction
enforcement officer] [parking enforcement specialist]
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[security officer employed by the board of trustees of a
community college] [federal law enforcement officer][law
enforcement explorer] [non-sworn law enforcement agency
employee who was certified as an agency inspector] [blood
alcohol analyst] [breath test operator] [railroad special
officer] [licensed security officer].
4. (Victim) was engaged in the lawful performance of [his]
[her] duties when the battery was committed.
For cases where the alleged victim is a law enforcement officer, do not refer
to the victim by name when instructing on the sentence below. Instead, the
instruction must state the class of officers to which the victim belongs, e.g., deputy
sheriff, probation officer, correctional officer. See Wright v. State, 586 So. 2d 1024
(Fla. 1991).
The court now instructs you that a (name of official position of victim
designated in charge) is a [law enforcement officer] [firefighter] [emergency
medical care provider] [traffic accident investigation officer] [traffic infraction
enforcement officer] [parking enforcement specialist] [security officer employed
by the board of trustees of a community college] [federal law enforcement officer].
In giving this sentence, do not refer to the victim by name. The instruction
must state the class of officers to which the victim belongs, e.g., probation officer,
correctional officer. See Wright v. State, 586 So.2d 1024 (Fla. 1991).
For cases involving other types of victims, insert definitions from
§ 784.07(1)(a), Fla. Stat., as appropriate.
Lesser Included Offenses
BATTERY ON LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER, FIREFIGHTER, ETC.
— 784.07(2)(b)
CATEGORY ONE CATEGORY FLA. STAT. INS. NO.
TWO
Battery 784.03 8.3
Attempt 777.04(1) 5.1
Comments
See Spurgeon v. State, 114 So. 3d 1042 (Fla. 5th DCA 2013) (holding that a
conviction for a violation of § 784.07(2), Florida Statutes, had to be vacated
- 13 -
because the statute does not include physicians, employees, agents, or volunteers
of facilities that do not satisfy the definition of a hospital under chapter 395).
This instruction was adopted in 1981 [431 So. 2d 594] and amended in 1992
[603 So. 2d 1175], 1995 [657 So. 2d 1152], and 2007 [962 So. 2d 310], and 2008
[994 So. 2d 1038], and 2015.
8.12 AGGRAVATED ASSAULT ON LAW ENFORCEMENT
OFFICER, FIREFIGHTER, ETC.
§ 784.07(2)(c), Fla. Stat.
To prove the crime of Aggravated Assault on a [Law Enforcement
Officer] [Firefighter] [Emergency Medical Care Provider] [Traffic Accident
Investigation Officer] [Traffic Infraction Enforcement Officer] [Parking
Enforcement Specialist] [Security Officer Employed by the Board of Trustees
of a Community College] [Federal Law Enforcement Officer][Law
Enforcement Explorer] [Non-sworn Law Enforcement Agency Employee
Certified as an Agency Inspector] [Blood Alcohol Analyst] [Breath Test
Operator] [Railroad Special Officer] [Licensed Security Officer], the State
must prove the following seven elements beyond a reasonable doubt. The first
three elements define assault.
1. (Defendant) intentionally and unlawfully threatened, either
by word or act, to do violence to (victim).
2. At the time, (defendant) appeared to have the ability to carry
out the threat.
3. The act of (defendant) created in the mind of (victim) a well-
founded fear that the violence was about to take place.
Give 4a or 4b as applicable. If 4b is alleged, give the elements of the felony
charged.
4. a. The assault was made with a deadly weapon.
b. The assault was made with a fully-formed, conscious
intent to commit (felony charged) upon (victim).
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5. ((Victim)) was at the time a [law enforcement officer]
[firefighter] [emergency medical care provider] [traffic
accident investigation officer] [traffic infraction
enforcement officer] [parking enforcement specialist]
[security officer employed by the board of trustees of a
community college] [federal law enforcement officer][law
enforcement explorer] [non-sworn law enforcement agency
employee who was certified as an agency inspector] [blood
alcohol analyst] [breath test operator while such employee
was in uniform and engaged in processing, testing,
evaluating, analyzing, or transporting a person who was
detained or under arrest for DUI] [railroad special officer]
[licensed security officer who wore a uniform that bore at
least one patch or emblem that was visible at all times that
clearly identified the employing agency and that clearly
identified the person as a licensed security officer]..
6. (Defendant) knew (victim) was a [law enforcement officer]
[firefighter] [emergency medical care provider] [traffic
accident investigation officer] [traffic infraction
enforcement officer] [parking enforcement specialist]
[security officer employed by the board of trustees of a
community college] [federal law enforcement officer][law
enforcement explorer] [non-sworn law enforcement agency
employee who was certified as an agency inspector] [blood
alcohol analyst] [breath test operator] [railroad special
officer] [licensed security officer].
7 At the time of the assault, (victim) was engaged in the lawful
performance of [his] [her] duties.
For cases where the alleged victim is a law enforcement officer, do not refer
to the victim by name when instructing on the sentence below. Instead, the
instruction must state the class of officers to which the victim belongs, e.g., deputy
sheriff, probation officer, correctional officer. See Wright v. State, 586 So. 2d 1024
(Fla. 1991).
The court now instructs you that a (name of official position of victim
designated in charge)) is a [law enforcement officer] [firefighter] [emergency
medical care provider] [traffic accident investigation officer] [traffic infraction
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enforcement officer] [parking enforcement specialist] [security officer employed
by the board of trustees of a community college] [federal law enforcement officer].
In giving this sentence, do not refer to the victim by name. The instruction
must state the class of officers to which the victim belongs, e.g., probation officer,
correctional officer. See Wright v. State, 586 So. 2d 1024 (Fla. 1991).
For cases involving other types of victims, insert definitions from
§ 784.07(1)(a), Fla. Stat., as appropriate.
Give if applicable. McClain v. State, 383 So. 2d 1146 (Fla. 4thth DCA
1980); Smithson v. State, 689 So. 2d 1226 (Fla. 5thth DCA 1997); Gilbert v. State,
347 So. 2d 1087 (Fla. 3dd DCA 1977).
If the circumstances were such as to ordinarily induce a well-founded
fear in the mind of a reasonable person, then the victim may be found to have
been in fear, and actual fear on the part of the actual victim need not be
shown.
Definition. Give if element 4a alleged.
A weapon is a “deadly weapon” if it is used or threatened to be used in a
way likely to produce death or great bodily harm.
Give if element 4a alleged.
It is not necessary for the State to prove that the defendant had an
intent to kill.
Lesser Included Offenses
AGGRAVATED ASSAULT ON LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER, ETC.
— 784.07(2)(c)
CATEGORY ONE CATEGORY TWO FLA. STAT INS. NO.
Aggravated assault 784.021 8.2
Assault on law 784.07(2)(a) 8.10
enforcement officer
Improper exhibition 790.10 10.5
of a dangerous
weapon or firearm,
if Fla. Stat.
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784.021(1)(a) is
charged
Assault 784.011 8.1
Attempt 777.04(1) 5.1
Discharging firearms in 790.15 10.6
public
Comments
See Spurgeon v. State, 114 So. 3d 1042 (Fla. 5th DCA 2013)(holding that a
conviction for a violation of § 784.07(2), Florida Statutes, had to be vacated
because the statute does not include physicians, employees, agents, or volunteers
of facilities that do not satisfy the definition of a hospital under chapter 395).
This instruction was approved in 1992 [603 So. 2d 1175], and amended in
1995 [657 So. 2d 1152], 2007 [962 So. 2d 310], 2008 [994 So. 2d 1038], and 2013
[131 So. 3d 755] and 2015.
8.13 AGGRAVATED BATTERY ON LAW ENFORCEMENT
OFFICER, FIREFIGHTER, ETC.
§ 784.07(2)(d), Fla. Stat.
To prove the crime of Aggravated Battery on a [Law Enforcement
Officer] [Firefighter] [Emergency Medical Care Provider] [Traffic Accident
Investigation Officer] [Traffic Infraction Enforcement Officer] [Parking
Enforcement Specialist] [Security Officer Employed by the Board of Trustees
of a Community College] [Federal Law Enforcement Officer][Law
Enforcement Explorer] [Non-sworn Law Enforcement Agency Employee
Certified as an Agency Inspector] [Blood Alcohol Analyst] [Breath Test
Operator] [Railroad Special Officer] [Licensed Security Officer], the State
must prove the following five elements beyond a reasonable doubt. The first
element is a definition of battery.
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1. (Defendant)
[intentionally touched or struck (victim) against [his] [her] will].
[intentionally caused bodily harm to (victim)].
Give 2a and/or 2b as applicable.
2. (Defendant), in committing the battery,
a. intentionally or knowingly caused
[great bodily harm to (victim)].
[permanent disability to (victim)].
[permanent disfigurement to (victim)].
b. used a deadly weapon.
3. (Victim) was a [law enforcement officer] [firefighter]
[emergency medical care provider] [traffic accident
investigation officer] [traffic infraction enforcement officer]
[parking enforcement specialist] [security officer employed
by the board of trustees of a community college] [federal
law enforcement officer][law enforcement explorer] [non-
sworn law enforcement agency employee who was certified
as an agency inspector] [blood alcohol analyst] [breath test
operator while such employee was in uniform and engaged
in processing, testing, evaluating, analyzing, or transporting
a person who was detained or under arrest for DUI]
[licensed security officer who wore a uniform that bore at
least one patch or emblem that was visible at all times that
clearly identified the employing agency and that clearly
identified the person as a licensed security officer] [railroad
special officer].
4. (Defendant) knew (victim) was a [law enforcement officer]
[firefighter] [emergency medical care provider] [traffic
accident investigation officer] [traffic infraction
enforcement officer] [parking enforcement specialist]
[security officer employed by the board of trustees of a
community college] [federal law enforcement officer][law
enforcement explorer] [non-sworn law enforcement agency
employee who was certified as an agency inspector] [blood
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alcohol analyst] [breath test operator] [railroad special
officer] [licensed security officer].
5. (Victim) was engaged in the lawful performance of [his]
[her] duties when the battery was committed against [him]
[her].
For cases where the alleged victim is a law enforcement officer, do not refer
to the victim by name when instructing on the sentence below. Instead, the
instruction must state the class of officers to which the victim belongs, e.g., deputy
sheriff, probation officer, correctional officer. See Wright v. State, 586 So. 2d 1024
(Fla. 1991).
The court now instructs you that a (name of official position of victim
designated in charge) is a [law enforcement officer] [firefighter] [emergency
medical care provider] [traffic accident investigation officer] [traffic infraction
enforcement officer] [parking enforcement specialist] [security officer employed
by the board of trustees of a community college] [federal law enforcement officer].
In giving this sentence, do not refer to the victim by name. The instruction
must state the class of officers to which the victim belongs, e.g., probation officer,
correctional officer. See Wright v. State, 586 So.2d 1024 (Fla. 1991).
For cases involving other types of victims, insert definitions from
§ 784.07(1)(a), Fla. Stat., as appropriate.
Definition. Give if element 2b alleged.
A weapon is a “deadly weapon” if it is used or threatened to be used in a
way likely to produce death or great bodily harm.
Lesser Included Offenses
AGGRAVATED BATTERY ON LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER,
FIREFIGHTER, ETC. — 784.07(2)(d)
CATEGORY ONE CATEGORY TWO FLA. STAT INS. NO.
Aggravated battery 784.045 8.4
Felony battery* 784.041 8.5
Battery on a law 784.07(2)(b) 8.11
enforcement officer
Battery 784.03 8.3
Attempt 777.04(1) 5.1
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Improper exhibition of 790.10 10.5
dangerous weapons or
firearms
Discharging firearms in 790.15 10.6
public
Comments
*The lesser included offense of Felony Battery is only applicable if element
2a is charged and proved.
See Spurgeon v. State, 114 So. 3d 1042 (Fla. 5th DCA 2013)(holding that a
conviction for a violation of § 784.07(2), Florida Statutes, had to be vacated
because the statute does not include physicians, employees, agents, or volunteers
of facilities that do not satisfy the definition of a hospital under chapter 395).
This instruction was adopted in 1992 [603 So. 2d 1175] and was amended in
1995 [657 So. 2d 1152], and 2007 [962 So. 2d 310], and 2008 [994 So. 2d 1038],
and 2015.
29.16(a) UNLAWFUL PROTESTS
§ 871.015, Fla. Stat.
To prove the crime of Unlawful Protests, the State must prove the
following two elements beyond a reasonable doubt:
1. (Defendant) [knowingly engaged in protest activities] [or]
[knowingly caused protest activities to occur] within 500
feet of the property line of a [residence] [cemetery] [funeral
home] [house of worship] [or] [other location].
Give 2a if the defendant personally did the protest activities.
2. a. (Defendant) knew that [his] [her] protest activities occurred
[during] [or] [within one hour before or one hour after] the
conducting of a funeral or burial at that location.
Give 2b if the defendant caused the protest activities to occur.
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b. (Defendant) knew that the protest activities would occur
[during] [or] [within one hour before or one hour after] the
conducting of a funeral or burial at that location and the
protest activities did take place [during] [or] [within one
hour before or one hour after] the conducting of a funeral
or burial at that location.
Give if applicable. § 871.015, Fla. Stat., is unclear whether the provision
below is an element of the crime or an affirmative defense. In the absence of case
law, judges must determine this issue. If an affirmative defense, judges must also
determine who has the burden of persuasion and the standard of proof for that
burden of persuasion. See Dixon v. United States, 548 U.S. 1 (2006), for further
guidance.
It is not a crime for a person to [knowingly engage in] [or] [knowingly
cause] protest activities that occur adjacent to that portion of a funeral
procession which extends beyond 500 feet of the property line of the location
of a funeral or burial.
Definitions. §§ 871.015 (1), 316.1974 (1), Fla. Stat.
“Funeral or burial” means a service or ceremony offered or provided in
connection with the final disposition, memorialization, interment,
entombment, or inurnment of human remains or cremated human remains.
“Protest activities” means any actions, including picketing, which are
undertaken with the intent to interrupt or disturb a funeral or burial.
Give if applicable.
“Funeral procession” means two or more vehicles accompanying the
body of a deceased person, or traveling to the church, chapel, or other
location at which the funeral service is to be held, in the daylight hours,
including a funeral lead vehicle or a funeral escort vehicle.
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Lesser Included Offenses
UNLAWFUL PROTESTS — 871.015
CATEGORY ONE CATEGORY TWO FLA. STAT. INS. NO.
None
Attempt 777.04(1) 5.1
Comment
This instruction was adopted in 2015.
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