Case Title: In Re: Standard Jury Instructions In Criminal Cases – Report No. 2010-02

Citation: 

Docket Number: SC10-151

State: florida

Court: Florida Supreme Court

Date: 2010-07-01T00:00:00Z

Document:
Supreme Court of Florida 
 
 
____________ 
 
No. SC10-151 
____________ 
 
 
IN RE: STANDARD JURY INSTRUCTIONS IN CRIMINAL CASES -  
REPORT NO. 2010-02. 
 
[July 1, 2010] 
 
LABARGA, J. 
 
The Supreme Court Committee on Standard Jury Instructions in Criminal 
Cases (Committee) has submitted proposed changes to the standard criminal jury 
instructions in criminal cases and asks that the Court authorize those changes.  We 
have jurisdiction.  See art. V, § 2(a), Fla. Const. 
The Committee’s proposals include revisions to current standard criminal 
jury instructions 3.6(a), Insanity, and 12.4, Criminal Mischief, as well as five new 
instructions: 10.6(a), Discharging a Firearm from a Vehicle Within 1000 Feet of a 
Person; 12.6, Offenses Against Computer Users (sections 815.06(1) and 
815.06(2)(c), Florida Statutes); 12.7, Offenses Against Computer Users (sections 
815.06(1) and (2)(b), Florida Statutes); 12.8, Offenses Against Computer Users 
 
- 2 - 
(section 815.06(3), Florida Statutes); and 21.8, Tampering with or Fabricating 
Physical Evidence. 
The Committee published its proposals in the April 15, 2009, edition of The 
Florida Bar News.  Upon consideration of the proposals and the comments 
received, we hereby authorize for publication and use instructions 10.6(a), 12.6, 
12.7, and 12.8, with minor modifications as discussed below.  Instructions 12.4 and 
21.8 are hereby authorized as proposed.  However, we decline to authorize the 
proposed amendment to instruction 3.6(a). 
 New standard criminal jury instruction 10.6(a), derived from section 
790.15(2), Florida Statutes (2009), instructs on the offense of Discharging a 
Firearm from a Vehicle Within 1000 Feet of a Person.  We modify the 
Committee’s proposal by adding a definition for “knowingly,” an element of the 
offense under subsection (2).  Consistent with standard criminal jury instruction 
10.6, Discharging a Firearm in Public, “knowingly” is defined for purposes of 
instruction 10.6(a) as “with full knowledge and intentionally.” 
The Committee also proposes new jury instructions 12.6, 12.7, and 12.8, in 
light of section 815.06, Florida Statutes (2009), defining distinct “Offenses Against 
Computer Users.”  Instruction 12.7 defines “property” because section 
815.06(2)(b) includes as an alternative element that the defendant, having engaged 
in certain proscribed conduct, “did so for the purpose of devising or executing any 
 
- 3 - 
scheme or artifice to defraud or obtain property.”  We modify the definition of 
“property” by removing reference to section 812.011, repealed by the Legislature 
in 1977.  Ch. 77-342, § 16, Laws of Fla.  “Property,” for purposes of computer-
related crimes under chapter 815, Florida Statutes (2009), is now defined in section 
815.03(11), and includes, while not limited to, the following: financial instruments; 
information, including electronically produced data and computer software and 
programs in either machine-readable or human-readable form; and any other 
tangible or intangible item of value.  We strike the definition of “property” 
included in instruction 12.8, however, as the offense to which the instruction 
pertains, see section 815.06(3), does not require as an element or otherwise 
reference the term “property.”  In addition, the definition for “knowingly” has been 
added to instructions 12.6, 12.7, and 12.8.1 
Finally, the Committee proposes an amendment to instruction 3.6(a) that 
would include a note to trial courts with citation to Eierle v. State, 458 So. 2d 442 
(Fla. 3d DCA 1984), and offer a brief commentary.  We decline to amend 
instruction 3.6(a) in light of the following facts.  First, the proposal remains 
controversial between Committee members, reflected by a seven-to-five vote in 
favor of the proposal.  Second, the Committee fails to offer a basis for the 
                                          
 
1.  We also modify the Committee’s proposals to instructions 12.6, 12.7, and 
12.8 as necessary to conform to proper jury instruction format. 
 
 
- 4 - 
amendment that was not in existence previously when the Court amended 
instruction 3.6(a) in 1986, 1994, and 2006.  See In re Standard Jury Instructions 
in Criminal Cases (No. 2005-5), 939 So. 2d 1052 (Fla. 2006); Standard Jury 
Instructions in Criminal Cases (93-1), 636 So. 2d 502 (Fla. 1994) (instruction 
previously numbered 3.04); In re Standard Jury Instructions in Criminal Cases, 
431 So. 2d 600 (Fla. 1982) (same).  In those earlier cases, the Committee did not 
seek the amendment to the insanity instruction now at issue. 
Having considered the Committee’s report and comments, we hereby 
authorize the publication and use of the instructions as they appear in the attached 
appendix.2  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 
                                          
 
 
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. 
 
- 5 - 
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. 
 
It is so ordered. 
CANADY, C.J., and PARIENTE, LEWIS, QUINCE, POLSTON, and PERRY, JJ., 
concur. 
 
THE FILING OF A MOTION FOR REHEARING SHALL NOT ALTER THE 
EFFECTIVE DATE OF THESE AMENDMENTS. 
 
Original Proceeding – Standard Jury Instructions in Criminal Cases 
 
Judge Lisa T. Munyon, Chair, Supreme Court Committee on Standard Jury 
Instructions in Criminal Cases, Ninth Judicial Circuit, Orlando, Florida, 
 
 
for Petitioner 
 
 
 
- 6 - 
APPENDIX 
10.6(a) DISCHARGING A FIREARM FROM A 
VEHICLE WITHIN 1,000 FEET OF A PERSON 
§ 790.15(2), Fla. Stat. 
 
To prove the crime of Discharging a Firearm from a Vehicle Within 
1,000 Feet of a Person, the State must prove the following two elements 
beyond a reasonable doubt: 
 
1.  (Defendant) was an occupant of a vehicle. 
 
 
2.   (Defendant) knowingly and willfully discharged a firearm  
 
      from that vehicle within 1,000 feet of any person. 
  
Definitions 
 
§ 790.001(6), Fla. Stat.  
 
A ―firearm‖ is legally defined as any weapon, including a starter gun, 
which will, is designed to, or may readily be converted to expel a projectile by 
the action of an explosive; the frame or receiver of any such weapon; any 
firearm muffler or firearm silencer; any destructive device; or any machine 
gun. [The term ―firearm‖ does not include an antique firearm unless the 
antique firearm is used in the commission of a crime.] See §790.001(1), Fla. 
Stat., for the definition of “antique firearm” and §790.001(4), Fla. Stat., for the 
definition of “destructive device.”  
 
 
 
―Knowingly‖ means with full knowledge and intentionally. 
 
 
―Willfully‖ means intentionally and purposely. 
 
Lesser Included Offenses 
 
    
No lesser included offenses have been identified for this offense. 
 
Comment 
 
This instruction was adopted in 2010. 
 
 
 
- 7 - 
12.4 CRIMINAL MISCHIEF 
§ 806.13(1)-(2), Fla. Stat. 
 
 
To prove the crime of Criminal Mischief, the State must prove the 
following three elements beyond a reasonable doubt: 
 
1. 
(Defendant) injured or damaged [real] [personal] property. (copy 
from charge). 
 
2. 
The property injured or damaged belonged to (person alleged). 
 
3. 
The injury or damage was done willfully and maliciously. 
 
 
Give if applicable. 
 
Among the means by which property can be injured or damaged under 
the law is the placement of graffiti on it or other acts of vandalism to it. 
 
 
Definitions 
 
―Willfully‖ means intentionally, knowingly, and purposely. 
 
 
―Maliciously‖ means wrongfully, intentionally, without legal 
justification or excuse, and with the knowledge that injury or damage will or 
may be caused to another person or the property of another person. 
 
 
Degrees. Give as applicable. 
 
The punishment provided by law for the crime of criminal mischief is 
greater depending upon the value of the property damaged. Therefore, if If 
you find the defendant guilty of criminal mischief, you must determine by 
your verdict whether the State proved beyond a reasonable doubt that: 
 
a. [Tthe damage to the property was $1,000 or greater.] 
 
[Bby reason of the damage, there was an interruption or 
impairment of a business operation or public communication, 
transportation, supply of water, gas or power, or other public 
service which cost $1,000 or more in labor and supplies to 
restore.] 
 
b. [Tthe damage to the property was greater than $200 but less than 
$1,000.] 
 
- 8 - 
c. [Tthe damage to the property was $200 or less.] 
 
d.  [the property damaged was a church, synagogue, 
     mosque, or other place of worship or any religious article 
     contained therein]. 
 
e. [the defendant has previously been convicted of criminal 
mischief]. 
 
§ 806.13(5)(a), Fla. Stat.  
The amounts of value of damage to property owned by separate 
persons, if the property was damaged during one scheme or course of 
conduct, may be aggregated in determining the total value. 
 
Lesser Included Offenses 
 
CRIMINAL MISCHIEF — 806.13(1)(b)1 
CATEGORY ONE 
CATEGORY TWO 
FLA. STAT. 
INS. NO. 
None 
 
 
 
 
Attempt 
777.04(1) 
5.1 
 
 
CRIMINAL MISCHIEF — 806.13(1)(b)2 
CATEGORY ONE 
CATEGORY TWO 
FLA. STAT. 
INS. NO. 
Criminal mischief 
 
806.13(1)(b)1 12.4 
 
Attempt 
777.04(1) 
5.1 
 
 
CRIMINAL MISCHIEF — 806.13(1)(b)3 
CATEGORY ONE 
CATEGORY TWO 
FLA. STAT. 
INS. NO. 
Criminal mischief 
 
806.13(1)(b)1 12.4 
Criminal mischief 
 
806.13(1)(b)2 12.4 
 
Attempt 
777.04(1) 
5.1 
 
Comment 
 
 
It is error to inform the jury of a prior criminal mischief conviction.  
Therefore, if the information or indictment contains an allegation of one or more 
prior criminal mischief convictions, do not read the allegation and do not send the 
 
- 9 - 
information or indictment into the jury room. If the defendant is found guilty of 
criminal mischief, the historical fact of a previous criminal mischief conviction 
shall be determined beyond a reasonable doubt in a bifurcated proceeding. State v. 
Harbaugh, 754 So. 2d 691 (Fla. 2000). 
 
 
This instruction was adopted in 1981 and amended in 1992 and 2010. 
 
- 10 - 
12.6 OFFENSES AGAINST COMPUTER USERS 
§ 815.06(1), (2)(c), Fla. Stat. 
 
To prove the crime of Offense against Computer Users, the State must 
prove the following element beyond a reasonable doubt: 
(Defendant) willfully, knowingly, and without authorization  
Give 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 as applicable.  
1. 
[[accessed] [caused to be accessed] any [computer] 
[computer system] [computer network].]  
2. 
[[disrupted] [denied] [caused the denial of] computer 
system services to an authorized user of such 
computer system services, which, in whole or part, is 
[owned by] [under contract to] [operated [for] [on 
behalf of] [in conjunction with]] another.] 
3. 
[[destroyed] [took] [injured] [damaged] equipment or 
supplies [used] [intended to be used] in a [computer] 
[computer system] [computer network].] 
4. 
[[destroyed] [injured] [damaged] any [computer] 
[computer system] [computer network].] 
5. 
[introduced any computer contaminant into any 
[computer] [computer system] [computer network].] 
 
 
Enhanced Penalty. 
 
 
If you find the defendant guilty of the crime of Offense Against 
Computer Users you must then determine, beyond a reasonable doubt, 
whether the offense endangered human life. 
 
 
 
Give if applicable. 
 
 
This offense does not apply to any person who accesses [his] [her] 
employer’s computer system, computer network, computer program, or 
computer data when acting within the scope of [his] [her] lawful employment. 
 
- 11 - 
 
Definitions.  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
―Access‖ means to approach, instruct, communicate with, store data in, 
retrieve data from, or otherwise make use of any resources of a computer, 
computer system, or computer network.  
 
―Computer‖ means an internally programmed, automatic device that 
performs data processing.  
 
―Computer contaminant‖ means any set of computer instructions 
designed to modify, damage, destroy, record, or transmit information within 
a computer, computer system, or computer network without the intent or 
permission of the owner of the information. The term includes, but is not 
limited to, a group of computer instructions commonly called viruses or 
worms which are self-replicating or self-propagating and which are designed 
to contaminate other computer programs or computer data; consume 
computer resources; modify, destroy, record, or transmit data; or in some 
other fashion usurp the normal operation of the computer, computer system, 
or computer network.  
 
―Computer network‖ means any system that provides communications 
between one or more computer systems and its input or output devices, 
including, but not limited to, display terminals and printers that are 
connected by telecommunication facilities.  
 
―Computer program or computer software‖ means a set of instructions 
or statements and related data which, when executed in actual or modified 
form, cause a computer, computer system, or computer network to perform 
specified functions.  
 
―Computer services‖ include, but are not limited to, computer time; 
data processing or storage functions; or other uses of a computer, computer 
system, or computer network.  
 
―Computer system‖ means a device or collection of devices, including 
support devices, one or more of which contain computer programs, electronic 
instructions, or input data and output data, and which perform functions, 
including, but not limited to, logic, arithmetic, data storage, retrieval, 
communication, or control. The term does not include calculators that are not 
programmable and that are not capable of being used in conjunction with 
external files.  
 
- 12 - 
 
―Data‖ means a representation of information, knowledge, facts, 
concepts, computer software, computer programs, or instructions. Data may 
be in any form, in storage media or stored in the memory of the computer, or 
in transit or presented on a display device. 
―Knowingly‖ means with full knowledge and intentionally. 
 
―Willfully‖ means intentionally and purposely. 
Lesser Included Offenses 
No lesser included offenses have been identified for this offense. 
Comment 
This instruction was adopted in 2010. 
 
- 13 - 
12.7 OFFENSES AGAINST COMPUTER USERS 
§ 815.06(2)(b), Fla. Stat. 
To prove the crime of Offense Against Computer Users, the State must 
prove the following two elements beyond a reasonable doubt: 
1. 
(Defendant) willfully, knowingly, and without authorization 
Give a, b, c, d, or e as applicable. 
a. 
[[accessed] [caused to be accessed] any [computer] 
[computer system] [computer network].] 
b. 
[[disrupted] [denied] [caused the denial of] computer system 
services to an authorized user of such computer system 
services, which, in whole or part, is [owned by] [under 
contract to] [operated for] [on behalf of] [in conjunction 
with] another.]  
c. 
[[destroyed] [took] [injured] [damaged] equipment  or 
supplies [used] [intended to be used] in a [computer] 
[computer system] [computer network].] 
d. 
[[destroyed] [injured] [damaged] any [computer] [computer 
system] [computer network].] 
e. 
[introduced any computer contaminant into any [computer] 
[computer system] [computer network].] 
2. 
(Defendant) 
 
Give a, b, or c as applicable. 
a. 
[damaged [a computer] [computer equipment] [computer 
supplies] [a computer system] [a computer network] and 
the monetary damage or loss incurred as a result of the 
violation was $5,000 or greater.]  
b. 
[did so for the purpose of devising or executing any scheme 
or artifice to defraud or obtain property.] 
 
- 14 - 
c. 
[interrupted or impaired a [governmental operation or 
public communication] [transportation or supply of water, 
gas, or other public service].] 
Give if applicable.  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
This offense does not apply to any person who accesses [his] [her] 
employer’s computer system, computer network, computer program, or 
computer data when acting within the scope of [his] [her] lawful employment. 
 
Definitions.  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
―Access‖ means to approach, instruct, communicate with, store data in, 
retrieve data from, or otherwise make use of any resources of a computer, 
computer system, or computer network.  
 
―Computer‖ means an internally programmed, automatic device that 
performs data processing.  
 
―Computer contaminant‖ means any set of computer instructions 
designed to modify, damage, destroy, record, or transmit information within 
a computer, computer system, or computer network without the intent or 
permission of the owner of the information. The term includes, but is not 
limited to, a group of computer instructions commonly called viruses or 
worms which are self-replicating or self-propagating and which are designed 
to contaminate other computer programs or computer data; consume 
computer resources; modify, destroy, record, or transmit data; or in some 
other fashion usurp the normal operation of the computer, computer system, 
or computer network.  
 
―Computer network‖ means any system that provides communications 
between one or more computer systems and its input or output devices, 
including, but not limited to, display terminals and printers that are 
connected by telecommunication facilities.  
 
―Computer program or computer software‖ means a set of instructions 
or statements and related data which, when executed in actual or modified 
form, cause a computer, computer system, or computer network to perform 
specified functions.  
 
―Computer services‖ include, but are not limited to, computer time; 
data processing or storage functions; or other uses of a computer, computer 
system, or computer network.  
 
- 15 - 
 
―Computer system‖ means a device or collection of devices, including 
support devices, one or more of which contain computer programs, electronic 
instructions, or input data and output data, and which perform functions, 
including, but not limited to, logic, arithmetic, data storage, retrieval, 
communication, or control. The term does not include calculators that are not 
programmable and that are not capable of being used in conjunction with 
external files.  
―Data‖ means a representation of information, knowledge, facts, 
concepts, computer software, computer programs, or instructions. Data may 
be in any form, in storage media or stored in the memory of the computer, or 
in transit or presented on a display device. 
―Knowingly‖ means with full knowledge and intentionally. 
―Property‖ means anything of value as defined in s. 815.03(11) and 
includes, but is not limited to, financial instruments, information, including 
electronically produced data and computer software and programs in either 
machine-readable or human-readable form, and any other tangible or 
intangible item of value. 
 
―Willfully‖ means intentionally and purposely. 
Lesser Included Offenses 
OFFENSES AGAINST COMPUTER USERS – 815.06(2)(b) 
CATEGORY ONE CATEGORY TWO 
FLA. STAT. 
INS. NO. 
Offenses Against 
Computer Users 
 
815.06(1) 
 
 
Attempt 
777.04(10 
5.1 
Comment 
This instruction was adopted in 2010. 
 
- 16 - 
12.8 OFFENSES AGAINST COMPUTER USERS 
§ 815.06(3), Fla. Stat. 
 
To prove the crime of Offense Against Computer Users, the State must 
prove the following element beyond a reasonable doubt: 
(Defendant) willfully, knowingly, and without authorization modified 
equipment or supplies [used] [intended to be used] in a [computer] 
[computer system] [computer network]. 
 
Give if applicable.  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
This offense does not apply to any person who accesses [his] [her] 
employer’s [computer system] [computer network] [computer program] 
[computer data] when acting within the scope of [his] [her] lawful 
employment. 
 
Definitions.  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
―Access‖ means to approach, instruct, communicate with, store data in, 
retrieve data from, or otherwise make use of any resources of a computer, 
computer system, or computer network.  
 
―Computer‖ means an internally programmed, automatic device that 
performs data processing.  
 
―Computer contaminant‖ means any set of computer instructions 
designed to modify, damage, destroy, record, or transmit information within 
a computer, computer system, or computer network without the intent or 
permission of the owner of the information. The term includes, but is not 
limited to, a group of computer instructions commonly called viruses or 
worms which are self-replicating or self-propagating and which are designed 
to contaminate other computer programs or computer data; consume 
computer resources; modify, destroy, record, or transmit data; or in some 
other fashion usurp the normal operation of the computer, computer system, 
or computer network.  
 
―Computer network‖ means any system that provides communications 
between one or more computer systems and its input or output devices, 
including, but not limited to, display terminals and printers that are 
connected by telecommunication facilities.  
 
- 17 - 
 
―Computer program or computer software‖ means a set of instructions 
or statements and related data which, when executed in actual or modified 
form, cause a computer, computer system, or computer network to perform 
specified functions.  
 
―Computer services‖ include, but are not limited to, computer time; 
data processing or storage functions; or other uses of a computer, computer 
system, or computer network.  
 
―Computer system‖ means a device or collection of devices, including 
support devices, one or more of which contain computer programs, electronic 
instructions, or input data and output data, and which perform functions, 
including, but not limited to, logic, arithmetic, data storage, retrieval, 
communication, or control. The term does not include calculators that are not 
programmable and that are not capable of being used in conjunction with 
external files.  
―Data‖ means a representation of information, knowledge, facts, 
concepts, computer software, computer programs, or instructions. Data may 
be in any form, in storage media or stored in the memory of the computer, or 
in transit or presented on a display device. 
―Knowingly‖ means with full knowledge and intentionally. 
 
―Willfully‖ means intentionally and purposely. 
Lesser Included Offenses 
No lesser included offenses have been identified for this offense. 
Comment 
This instruction was adopted in 2010. 
 
- 18 - 
21.8 TAMPERING WITH OR FABRICATING 
PHYSICAL EVIDENCE 
§ 918.13 Fla. Stat. 
 
To prove the crime of [Tampering with] [Fabricating] Physical 
Evidence, the State must prove the following two elements beyond a 
reasonable doubt: 
 
1.  (Defendant) knew that [a criminal trial or proceeding] [an 
investigation by a duly constituted [prosecuting authority] [law 
enforcement agency] [grand jury] [legislative committee]] of this state 
was [pending] [about to be instituted]. 
 
Give 2a or 2b as applicable. 
2. a.  (Defendant) [altered] [destroyed] [concealed] [removed] any 
          [record] [document] [thing] [item alleged], with the purpose  to 
 
impair its [verity] [availability] in the [investigation]  
          [proceeding]. 
 
b. (Defendant) [made] [presented] [used] any [record] 
     [document] [thing] [item alleged], knowing it to be false. 
 
Lesser Included Offenses 
    
 
21.5 [TAMPERING WITH] [FABRICATING] PHYSICAL EVIDENCE 
918.13 
CATEGORY ONE 
CATEGORY TWO 
FLA. STAT. 
INS. NO. 
None 
Attempt 
777.04(1) 
5.1 
 
Comment 
 
This instruction was adopted in 2010.