Case Title: In Re: Standard Jury Instructions in Criminal Cases

Citation: 

Docket Number: SC17-1870

State: florida

Court: Florida Supreme Court

Date: 2018-05-24T00:00:00Z

Document:
Supreme Court of Florida 
 
 
____________ 
 
No. SC17-1870 
____________ 
 
 
IN RE:  STANDARD JURY INSTRUCTIONS IN CRIMINAL CASES—
REPORT 2017-08. 
 
[May 24, 2018] 
 
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 proposes that the Court amend standard jury instructions 
3.12 (Verdict), 3.12(a) (Single Defendant, Multiple Counts or Informations), 
3.12(c) (Multiple Counts or Informations, Multiple Defendants), and 3.12(d) 
(Legally Interlocking Counts), and adopt new instruction 3.12(f) (Crime Legally 
Interlocking with a Special Finding Within that Same Count).  Following 
publication in The Florida Bar News, the Committee received comments from the 
Florida Public Defender Association (FPDA) and the Florida Association of 
 
 
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Criminal Defense Lawyers (FACDL), both pertaining to the proposal to amend 
instruction 3.12.  The Court also published the Committee’s proposals, and one 
comment was received from James Altman, Assistant State Attorney for the Ninth 
Judicial Circuit; the Committee responded to Mr. Altman’s comment.  The more 
significant amendments to the instructions are discussed below.1 
 
Criminal jury instruction 3.12 (Verdict) is amended to include a directive to 
the trial court to include a provision if the State is proceeding on both theories of 
first degree murder, i.e., premeditated and felony murder, on the basis of Mansfield 
v. State, 911 So. 2d 1160 (Fla. 2005).  That specific provision is added as follows: 
 
If you return a verdict of guilty to the charge of First Degree 
Murder, it is not necessary that all of you agree the State proved First 
Degree Premeditated Murder and it is not necessary that all of you 
agree the State proved First Degree Felony Murder.  Instead, what is 
required is that all of you agree the State proved either First Degree 
Premeditated Murder or First Degree Felony Murder. 
 
Instruction 3.12 also includes “a sample of possible verdict forms for typical 
variables in combinations of defendants and charges.”  As amended, two special 
finding forms pertaining to felony reclassification under section 775.087, Florida 
                                          
 
 
1.  Comments to the instructions are also amended, but are not discussed, as 
we 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. 
 
 
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Statutes (2017), are added, one under subsection (1) and the other under subsection 
(2). 
 
New standard criminal jury instruction 3.12(f) (Crime Legally Interlocking 
with a Special Finding Within that Same Count) is adopted to avoid the occurrence 
of “true inconsistent verdicts,” where the elements of a crime may legally interlock 
with a special finding within that same crime under the facts of the case.  See 
Proctor v. State, 205 So. 3d 784 (Fla. 2d DCA 2016); Gerald v. State, 132 So. 3d 
891 (Fla. 1st DCA 2014).   
Having considered the Committee’s report and the comments submitted to 
the Committee and filed with the Court, and the Committee’s response to the 
comments, we authorize instructions 3.12, 3.12(a), 3.12(c), 3.12(d), and 3.12(f) for 
publication and use as set forth in the appendix to this opinion.2  New language is 
indicated by underlining; 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 
                                          
 
 
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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neither requesting additional or alternative instructions nor contesting the legal 
correctness of these 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 LEWIS, QUINCE, CANADY, POLSTON, and LAWSON, 
JJ., concur. 
PARIENTE, J., concurs in result with an opinion. 
 
NOT FINAL UNTIL TIME EXPIRES TO FILE REHEARING MOTION AND, 
IF FILED, DETERMINED. 
 
PARIENTE, J., concurring in result. 
 
I concur in result for two reasons.  First, although not inaccurate under our 
2005 decision in Mansfield v. State, 911 So. 2d 1160 (Fla. 2005), there is no reason 
that instruction 3.12 is now necessary.  Second, even with and especially in light of 
instruction 3.12, I urge, once again, for the use of special verdict forms as to the 
alternate theories of first-degree murder, unless the defense objects. 
Instruction 3.12 
As the Committee recognizes, this Court has not addressed whether Hurst3 
affects the validity of our decision in Mansfield, holding that the jury is not 
required to reach a unanimous decision on the theory of first-degree murder.  Id. at 
1178-79.  Therefore, Mansfield remains good law, and instruction 3.12 is accurate 
                                          
 
 
3.  Hurst v. State (Hurst), 202 So. 3d 40 (Fla. 2016), cert. denied, 137 S. Ct. 
2161 (2017); see Hurst v. Florida, 136 S. Ct. 616 (2016). 
 
 
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under the current law.  That being said, it is unclear why this instruction is being 
adopted now, thirteen years after Mansfield.   Nevertheless, as a result of the 
inclusion of instruction 3.12 in the standard jury instructions, as well as the 
implications the jury’s findings in the guilt phase have on the penalty phase, it is 
more important than ever to use a special verdict form in the guilt phase to 
determine the jury’s vote as to each theory of first-degree murder. 
Guilt Phase Special Verdict Forms 
I join the Florida Public Defender Association in urging the trial courts to 
use a special verdict form in the guilt phase of capital prosecutions, especially 
when requested by the defendant.  A special verdict form indicating each juror’s 
determination as to whether the defendant is guilty of premeditated or felony first-
degree murder would promote informed decision-making by the trial court in the 
guilt phase and, more importantly, by the jury in the penalty phase, especially after 
Hurst.   
For example, if the jury did not unanimously conclude that the murder was 
premeditated, it should be clear that the CCP (cold, calculated, and premeditated) 
aggravating factor, requiring heightened premeditation, was not proven beyond a 
reasonable doubt.  Likewise, when this Court previously rejected the Criminal 
Court Steering Committee’s recommendation to mandate the use of guilt phase 
 
 
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special verdict forms, in an opinion joined by Chief Justice Labarga and former 
Justice Perry, I explained:  
The use of special verdict forms to specify felony murder and 
premeditated murder has numerous advantages as identified by the 
Steering Committee and those in favor of the forms.  I would also 
defer to the expertise of our Steering Committee members, including 
the trial judges who have been utilizing the special verdict forms in 
first-degree murder cases and advocate their mandated use. 
The Committee’s proposal should be adopted because the new 
verdict form would assist both the trial court in making decisions as to 
what penalty to impose and this Court in reviewing the sentence in the 
following ways.  First, a special verdict form indicating that a 
defendant was found guilty of first-degree murder based on a 
premeditated murder theory would obviate the need for the trial court 
to perform the requisite felony murder analysis under Enmund v. 
Florida, 458 U.S. 782 (1982), and Tison v. Arizona, 481 U.S. 137 
(1987). . . .  Second, if the State sought to establish either the cold, 
calculated, and premeditated or felony murder aggravators in the 
penalty phase, it would be helpful for the trial court to know how the 
jury viewed the evidence when discussing these aggravating 
circumstances in the sentencing order.  Third, the use of a special 
verdict form in the guilt phase would guide the trial court in 
determining the applicable instructions in the penalty phase.  Finally, 
the special verdict form would aid this Court in our review of 
evidentiary issues, as well as the sufficiency of the evidence as to 
either premeditated or felony murder. 
 
In re Std. Jury Instrs. in Crim. Cases—Report No. 2005-2, 22 So. 3d 17, 24 (Fla. 
2009) (Pariente, J., specially concurring).  
Other courts, including the United States Supreme Court, have also 
explained that, although “the Constitution [does] not command” their use, 
“separate verdict forms are useful in cases submitted to a jury on alternative 
theories of premeditated and felony murder.”  Schad v. Arizona, 501 U.S. 624, 645 
 
 
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(1991) (citing State v. Smith, 774 P.2d 811, 817 (Ariz. 1989)).   Likewise, the 
Supreme Court of Arizona has stated that “dual forms of verdict are desirable in 
reviewing cases on the guilt phase.”  Smith, 774 P.2d at 817.   
CONCLUSION 
For all these reasons, although Mansfield has not been modified since Hurst, 
I would urge the adoption of special verdict forms in first-degree murder cases 
where the State seeks a conviction based on alternative theories of felony first-
degree murder or premeditated first-degree murder.  Notwithstanding, because the 
majority has chosen to not adopt this requirement, I urge defense counsel to 
request, the State to agree, and trial courts to grant the use of special verdict forms 
in the guilt phase of first-degree murder prosecutions. 
Original Proceeding – Supreme Court Committee on Standard Jury Instructions in 
Criminal Cases 
 
Judge F. Rand Wallis, Chair, Supreme Court Committee on Standard Jury 
Instructions in Criminal Cases, Daytona Beach, Florida; and Bart Schneider, Staff 
Liaison, Office of the State Courts Administrator, Tallahassee, Florida, 
 
 
for Petitioner 
 
James Altman, Assistant State Attorney, Ninth Judicial Circuit, Orlando, Florida, 
 
 
Responding with comments 
 
 
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APPENDIX 
3.12 VERDICT 
 
You may find the defendant guilty as charged in the [information] 
[indictment] or guilty of such lesser included crime[s] as the evidence may 
justify or not guilty. 
 
If you return a verdict of guilty, it should be for the highest offense 
whichthat has been proven beyond a reasonable doubt. If you find that no 
offense has been proven beyond a reasonable doubt, then, of course, your 
verdict must be not guilty. 
 
The verdict must be unanimous, that is, all of you must agree to the 
same verdict. Only one verdict may be returned as to [the crime] [each crime] 
charged [, except as to Count (insert numberinsert number), where the 
defendant can be found guilty of more than one lesser included crime]. The 
verdict must be in writing and for your convenience the necessary verdict 
form[s] [has] [have] been prepared for you. [It is] [They are] as follows (read 
verdict form(s)): 
 
Give if State is proceeding on both theories of First Degree Murder 
(premeditated and felony murder). Mansfield v. State, 911 So. 2d 1160 (Fla. 2005).  
If you return a verdict of guilty to the charge of First Degree Murder, it 
is not necessary that all of you agree the State proved First Degree 
Premeditated Murder and it is not necessary that all of you agree the State 
proved First Degree Felony Murder. Instead, what is required is that all of 
you agree the State proved either First Degree Premeditated Murder or First 
Degree Felony Murder.  
 
In cases of multiple defendants or multiple charges, give 3.12(a), (b), or (c) 
as applicable. 
 
A sample of possible verdict forms for typical variables in combinations of 
defendants and charges follows: 
 
1. 
Verdict form for single count, single defendant. 
 
 
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We, the jury, find as follows, as to the defendant in this case: (check only 
one) 
___a. The defendant is guilty of (crime charged). 
___b. The defendant is guilty of (a lesser included offense). 
___c. The defendant is not guilty. 
 
2. 
Verdict form for multiple counts, single defendant. 
 
We, the jury, find as follows, as to Count I of the charge: (check only 
one as to this count) 
___a. The defendant is guilty of (crime charged). 
___b. The defendant is guilty of (a lesser included offense). 
___c. The defendant is not guilty. 
We, the jury, find as follows, as to Count II of the charge: (check only 
one as to this count) 
___a. The defendant is guilty of (crime charged). 
___b. The defendant is guilty of (a lesser included offense). 
___c. The defendant is not guilty. 
 
3. 
Verdict form if a count is a crime where the defendant can be guilty of 
more than one lesser included offense. 
 
We, the jury, find as follows, as to Count (insert number) of the 
charge: 
___a. The defendant is guilty of (crime charged). 
(If the defendant is not guilty of the main charge, then proceed to the 
lesser included offenses): 
___b. The defendant is guilty of lesser included offense(s). (check as 
many lesser included offenses as apply) 
___ 
The defendant is guilty of (lesser included offense). 
___ 
The defendant is guilty of (lesser included offense). 
___ 
The defendant is guilty of (lesser included offense). 
___ 
The defendant is guilty of (lesser included offense). 
(If the defendant is not guilty of the main charge or any lesser 
included offenses, then proceed to not guilty): 
___c. The defendant is not guilty.   
 
 
 
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Use separate verdict for each defendant. 
4. 
Verdict form for multiple counts, multiple defendants. 
 
We, the jury, find as to the defendant, (name of defendant), as follows: 
As to Count I: (check only one as to this count) 
___a.      The defendant is guilty of (crime charged). 
___b.      The defendant is guilty of (a lesser included offense). 
___c.      The defendant is not guilty. 
As to Count II: (check only one as to this count) 
___a.      The defendant is guilty of (crime charged). 
___b.      The defendant is guilty of (a lesser included offense). 
___c.      The defendant is not guilty. 
 
5. 
Verdict form when insanity is a defense. 
 
___a.      The defendant is guilty of (crime charged). 
___b.      The defendant is guilty of (a lesser included offense). 
___c.      The defendant is not guilty. 
___d.      The defendant is not guilty because legally insane. 
 
  Read if applicable. Special finding forms #6 and #7 below refer to              
§ 775.087, Fla. Stat. There are other statutes requiring special findings.   
  In addition to the verdict form[s], there [is] [are] [a] Special Finding 
form[s] for Count[s] (insert number(s)).  
 
6.         Special finding form regarding § 775.087(1), Fla. Stat. 
 
If you found the defendant guilty of (name of crime), you must then answer 
the following question: 
 
      
During the commission of the offense, did the defendant personally [carry] 
      
[display] [use] [threaten to use] [attempt to use] a [weapon] [firearm]? 
 
______________ Yes 
 
______________ No 
 
 
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7.         Special finding form regarding § 775.087(2), Fla. Stat. 
 
If you found the defendant guilty of (name of crime), you must then answer 
the following question[s]: 
 
1. During the commission of the offense, did the defendant actually possess a 
[firearm] [destructive device]? 
 
______________ Yes 
 
______________ No 
 
2. During the commission of the offense, did the defendant personally 
discharge a [firearm] [destructive device]? 
 
______________ Yes 
 
______________ No 
 
3. During the commission of the offense and as a result of the discharge 
of the [firearm] [destructive device], was death caused to (victim)? 
 
______________ Yes 
 
______________ No 
 
 
Comments 
 
This instruction must be amended if the defendant is relying on an insanity 
defense.  
 
It is highly recommended that trial courts rely solely on the core offense in 
determining the order of lesser included offenses on a verdict form. Trial courts 
should then provide an interrogatory, separate from the verdict form for the core  
offense, for the jury to determine the existence of circumstances that can result in 
mandatory minimum sentences, sentence enhancements, or offense 
reclassifications. In addition, interrogatories may be used for crimes such as 
 
 
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burglary and robbery, in which the aggravating factor is part of the statute 
governing the substantive crime. Sanders v. State, 944 So. 2d 203 (Fla. 2006). 
For compounded offenses, such as Burglary with an Assault, the jury can 
convict on two lesser-included offenses. See Gian-Grasso v. State, 899 So. 2d 392 
(Fla. 4th DCA 2005). 
 
This verdict form was adopted in 1981 and was amended in October 1981, 
December 1995, and 2016 [199 So. 3d 234], and 2018. 
 
 
 
3.12(a) SINGLE DEFENDANT,  
MULTIPLE COUNTS OR INFORMATIONS 
 
A separate crime is charged in each [count of the information] 
[indictment] [information] and, although they have been tried together, each 
crime and the evidence applicable to it must be considered separately and a 
separate verdict returned as to each.  A finding of guilty or not guilty as to one 
crime must not affect your verdict as to the other crime(s) charged [, except as 
explained in the instruction for legally interlocking counts]. 
 
Comments 
 
See instruction 3.12(d) if legally interlocking crimes are charged, but this 
instruction should be read for any non-legally interlocking counts. 
This instruction was adopted in 1981 and was amended in 2008 [996 So. 3d 
854] and 2018. 
 
 
3.12(c) MULTIPLE COUNTS OR  
INFORMATIONS, MULTIPLE DEFENDANTS 
 
A separate crime is charged against each defendant in each [count of the 
information] [information] [indictment]. The defendants have been tried 
together; however, the charges against each defendant and the evidence 
applicable to [him] [her] must be considered separately. A finding of guilty or 
not guilty as to [one] [both] [or] [some] of the defendants must not affect your 
 
 
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verdict as to any other defendant(s) or other crimes charged [, except as 
explained in the instruction for legally interlocking counts]. 
 
Comments 
See instruction 3.12(d) if legally interlocking crimes are charged, but this 
instruction should be read for any non-legally interlocking counts, or multiple 
informations or indictments. 
 
This instruction was adopted in 1981 and was amended in 2008 [996 So. 2d 
854] and 2018. 
 
 
3.12(d) LEGALLY INTERLOCKING COUNTS 
 
Counts [A and B] (substitute appropriate count numbers) are linked in that 
the crime charged in count [A] (identify predicate charged crime) is an essential 
element of the crime charged in count [B] (identify compound charged crime). 
You should first consider the evidence applicable to count [A]. If you find the 
crime in count [A] has not been proven beyond a reasonable doubt, you must 
find the defendant not guilty on both counts [A] and [B]. 
 
If, on the other hand, you find that the crime charged in count [A] has 
been proven beyond a reasonable doubt, you must then consider the evidence 
applicable to count [B]. A guilty verdict on count [A] does not require a guilty 
verdict on count [B]. You should find the Defendant guilty on count [B] only if 
you find all the elements of that crime, including the essential elements 
contained in count [A], were proven beyond a reasonable doubt. 
 
Comments 
Do not read instruction 3.12(a) or instruction 3.12(c) if the jury is instructed 
only on legally interlocking counts. 
 
Legally interlocking crimes are charged when the crime charged in one 
count of the information or indictment is an essential element of the crime charged 
in another count. As a general rule, inconsistent verdicts are permitted because 
they may be the result of jury lenity. There is only one recognized exception to this 
general rule, namely, the “true inconsistent verdict” exception. True inconsistent 
 
 
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verdicts are “those in which an acquittal on one count negates a necessary element 
for conviction on another count.”  Read cases such as Brown v. State, 959 So. 2d 
218 (Fla. 2007) and Gonzalez v. State, 440 So. 2d 514 (Fla. 4th DCA 1983). 
This instruction was adopted in 2008 [996 So. 2d 854] and amended in 2018. 
 
 
3.12(f) CRIME LEGALLY INTERLOCKING WITH A SPECIAL 
FINDING WITHIN THAT SAME COUNT 
    
The charge of (insert appropriate charge) and the special finding 
associated with that charge are interrelated because a special finding that the 
defendant (insert the element of the special finding) is an essential element of 
(insert appropriate charge).  
Accordingly, you should not return a verdict finding the defendant 
guilty of (insert appropriate charge) unless you also find, in the special finding, 
that the State proved the allegation that the defendant (insert the element of the 
special finding).  
On the other hand, if you decide that the allegation that the defendant 
(insert the element of the special finding) in the special finding [for Count (insert 
the appropriate number of the relevant count)] has not been proven beyond a 
reasonable doubt, then you should not return a verdict finding the defendant  
guilty of (insert appropriate charge). 
 
Comments 
In appropriate cases, this instruction may be used in order to avoid a true 
inconsistent verdict. As a general rule, inconsistent verdicts are permitted because 
they may be the result of jury lenity. Florida case law recognizes an exception to 
the general rule in cases of a “true inconsistent verdict.” True inconsistent verdicts 
are those in which an acquittal on one count negates a necessary element for 
conviction on another count. See Brown v. State, 959 So. 2d 218 (Fla. 2007). 
A true inconsistent verdict may occur because a) a crime and b) the special 
finding associated with that same crime, are legally interlocking. For example, if a 
defendant was charged with Aggravated Battery (Deadly Weapon) along with the 
10-year minimum mandatory for actual possession of a firearm; if there was no 
 
 
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evidence that the defendant was acting as an aider or abettor; and if the only 
weapon the defendant is alleged to have used was undisputedly a firearm, it would 
be inconsistent for the jury to find the defendant guilty of Aggravated Battery 
(Deadly Weapon) but not guilty of the special finding that the defendant actually 
possessed a firearm. See, for example, Proctor v. State, 205 So. 3d 784 (Fla. 2d 
DCA 2016) and Gerald v. State, 132 So. 3d 891, 893-94 (Fla. 1st DCA 2014). On 
the other hand, if there was a dispute about the nature of the deadly weapon used or 
if there was a dispute about whether the defendant was acting as an aider or 
abettor, then a guilty verdict on an Aggravated Battery (Deadly Weapon) charge 
along with a not guilty verdict pertaining to actual possession of a firearm, may not 
be “truly inconsistent.” See State v. McGhee, 174 So. 3d 470 (Fla. 1st DCA 2015).  
This instruction was adopted in 2018.