Title: In Re: Standard Jury Instructions in Criminal Cases

State: florida

Issuer: Florida Supreme Court

Document:

Supreme Court of Florida 
 
 
____________ 
 
No. SC17-1740 
____________ 
 
 
IN RE:  STANDARD JURY INSTRUCTIONS IN CRIMINAL CASES—
REPORT 2017-06. 
 
[February 8, 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’s proposals derive from two referrals by the Court to the 
Committee.  The first referral concerned instructions that pertain to section 
782.065, Florida Statutes (2017), and was based upon Ramroop v. State, 214 So. 
3d 657 (Fla. 2017), in which we held that the State must prove that the defendant 
knew that the victim was a law enforcement officer (LEO), correctional officer, 
etc., for the reclassification of a murder or attempted murder charge.  New 
instructions 6.7 (Attempted Murder – Reclassified) and 7.13 (Murder – 
 
 
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Reclassified) were proposed in light of Ramroop.  The second referral was based 
upon State v. Spencer, 216 So. 3d 481 (Fla. 2017), in which we determined that 
fundamental error resulted where the instruction for Attempted Manslaughter by 
Act as read to the jury did not include an instruction on justifiable or excusable 
attempted homicide.  In light of Spencer, the Committee proposed amendments to 
the following existing attempted homicide and homicide instructions:  6.2 
(Attempted First Degree Premeditated Murder); 6.3 (Attempted Felony Murder); 
6.3(a) (Attempted Felony Murder – Injury Caused by Another); 6.4 (Attempted 
Second Degree Murder); 6.6 (Attempted Manslaughter by Act); 7.2 (Murder – 
First Degree); 7.3 (Felony Murder – First Degree); 7.4 (Murder – Second Degree); 
7.5 (Felony Murder – Second Degree); 7.6 (Felony Murder – Third Degree); 7.7 
(Manslaughter); and 7.7(a) (Aggravated Manslaughter). 
Following publication by the Committee, a comment was received from the 
Florida Public Defender Association (FPDA).  The Court did not publish the 
proposals after they were filed.  The Court authorizes instructions 6.2, 6.3, 6.3(a), 
6.4, 6.6, 6.7, 7.2, 7.3, 7.4, 7.5, 7.6, 7.7(a), and 7.13 as proposed, and authorizes 
instruction 7.7 with modifications.  The more significant amendments to the 
instructions are discussed below. 
With regard to the attempted homicide and homicide-related instructions 
before the Court—6.2, 6.3, 6.3(a), 6.4, 6.6, 7.2, 7.3, 7.4, 7.5, 7.6, 7.7, and 7.7(a)—
 
 
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we recognize that in Spencer we held that fundamental error resulted when the 
defendant’s jury was instructed upon attempted manslaughter by act, but the 
instruction omitted instructions upon justifiable and excusable attempted homicide.  
Id., 216 So. 3d at 486.  To remedy this situation, we amend the above listed 
instructions to include one of the applicable following italicized sentences at the 
top of all attempted murder and murder instructions: 
 
In the absence of an express concession that the attempted 
homicide was not excusable or justified, the trial judge must also read 
Instruction 6.1, Introduction to Attempted Homicide.  
 
or 
 
 
In the absence of an express concession that the homicide was 
not excusable or justified, the trial judge must also read Instruction 
7.1, Introduction to Homicide.   
 
In addition, in the context of the attempted manslaughter and manslaughter 
instructions, the following italicized paragraph is added as a note to the trial judge: 
It is fundamental error not to instruct on justifiable attempted 
homicide and excusable attempted homicide in the absence of an 
express concession that the attempted homicide was not excusable or 
justified. See State v. Spencer, 216 So. 3d 481 (Fla. 2017). 
 
 
Turning to the individual instructions, we further amend instruction 6.2 by 
deleting the section of the instruction pertaining to the enhanced penalty pursuant 
to section 782.065(2), Florida Statutes, as well as the paragraph in the Comments 
section addressing the enhancement.  Instead, a new paragraph is added to the 
 
 
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Comments section referencing instruction 6.7 for the section 782.065 
reclassification enhancement, in light of Ramroop. 
 
Next, new instruction 6.7 pertains to the reclassification statute, section 
782.065, Florida Statutes, and is based upon this Court’s decision in Ramroop.  In 
the opening portion of the instruction, an italicized note to the trial judge explains 
what is required for the reclassification: 
In Ramroop v. State, 214 So. 3d 657 (Fla. 2017), the Florida Supreme 
Court held that § 782.065(2), Fla. Stat. is a reclassification statute 
that creates a substantive offense. Accordingly, the trial judge should 
add the three elements below to the elements section of the 
appropriate Attempted Murder crime (See Instruction 6.2, 6.3, 6.3(a), 
or 6.4.) 
 
Instruction 6.7 then includes the three elements that the jury must find for the 
reclassification, including that the victim was a law enforcement officer (LEO), 
etc., that the defendant knew the victim was an LEO, etc., and that the victim was 
engaged in the lawful performance of a legal duty. 
 
Existing instruction 7.2 is further amended by deleting the paragraph 
pertaining to “transferred intent” and adding a sentence to the Comments section 
providing that instruction 3.6(o) be given if the case involves transferred intent.  In 
addition, the section of the instruction pertaining to the enhanced penalty pursuant 
to section 782.065(2), i.e., the definitions relevant to the enhancement, is deleted, 
as is the paragraph in the Comments section addressing the enhancement, and a 
 
 
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new sentence in the Comments section is added referring to instruction 7.13 for the 
section 782.065 reclassification. 
 
Instructions 7.3, 7.4, 7.5, and 7.6 are further amended by deleting the section 
of the instruction pertaining to the enhanced penalty pursuant to section 
782.065(2), as is the paragraph in the Comments section addressing the 
enhancement, and a new sentence in the Comments section is added referring to 
instruction 7.13 for the section 782.065 reclassification.  The table of lesser 
included offenses in instruction 7.5 is also amended to delete the asterisk to 
Manslaughter as a Category One offense, in light of our decision in Dean v. State, 
230 So. 3d 420 (Fla. 2017), holding that manslaughter is a necessarily lesser 
included offense of second-degree felony murder.  Id. at 424. 
 
With regard to instruction 7.7, while we amend the body of the instruction in 
light of Spencer, we decline to amend the Comments section to include a sentence 
providing that “mutual combat resulting in death is Manslaughter” citing to Eiland 
v. State, 112 So. 2d 415 (Fla. 2d DCA 1959). 
 
Finally, new instruction 7.13 covers the reclassification statute, section 
782.065, Florida Statutes, and is based upon our decision in Ramroop.  In the 
opening portion of the instruction, an italicized note to the trial judge explains what 
is required for the reclassification: 
In Ramroop v. State, 214 So. 3d 657 (Fla. 2017), the Florida Supreme 
Court held that § 782.065(2), Fla. Stat. is a reclassification statute 
 
 
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that creates a substantive offense. Accordingly, the trial judge should 
add the three elements below to the elements section of the 
appropriate Murder crime (See Instruction 7.2, 7.3, 7.4, 7.5, or 7.6).   
 
Instruction 7.13 then includes the three elements that the jury must find for the 
reclassification, including that the victim was an LEO, etc., that the defendant 
knew the victim was an LEO, etc., and that the victim was engaged in the lawful 
performance of a legal duty. 
Having considered the Committee’s report and the comment submitted by 
FPDA, we authorize for publication and use new and amended instructions 6.2, 
6.3, 6.3(a), 6.4, 6.6, 6.7, 7.2, 7.3, 7.4, 7.5, 7.6, 7.7(a), and 7.13, as proposed, and 
amended instruction 7.7 as modified by the Court, and as set forth in the appendix 
to this opinion.1  New language is indicated by underlining, and deleted language is 
indicated by struck-through type.  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.  In authorizing the publication and use of these 
instructions, we express no opinion on their correctness and remind all interested 
                                          
 
 
1.  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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parties that this authorization forecloses neither requesting additional or alternative 
instructions nor contesting the legal correctness of the instructions.  The 
instructions as set forth in the appendix shall become effective when this opinion 
becomes final. 
 
It is so ordered. 
LABARGA, C.J., and PARIENTE, LEWIS, QUINCE, CANADY, POLSTON, 
and LAWSON, JJ., concur. 
 
NOT FINAL UNTIL TIME EXPIRES TO FILE REHEARING MOTION AND, 
IF FILED, DETERMINED. 
 
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 
 
 
 
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APPENDIX 
6.2 ATTEMPTED MURDER — FIRST DEGREE 
(PREMEDITATED) 
§§ 782.04(1)(a) and 777.04, Fla. Stat. 
In the absence of an express concession that the attempted homicide was not 
excusable or justified, the trial judge must also read Instruction 6.1, Introduction 
to Attempted Homicide.  
 
To prove the crime of Attempted First Degree Premeditated Murder, 
the State must prove the following three elements beyond a reasonable doubt: 
1. 
(Defendant) did some act intended to cause the death of 
(victim) that went beyond just thinking or talking about it. 
2. 
(Defendant) acted with a premeditated design to kill (victim). 
3. 
The act would have resulted in the death of (victim) except 
that someone prevented (defendant) from killing (victim) or 
[he] [she] failed to do so. 
Definition. 
A premeditated design to kill means that there was a conscious decision 
to kill. The decision must be present in the mind at the time the act was 
committed. The law does not fix the exact period of time that must pass 
between the formation of the premeditated intent to kill and the act. The 
period of time must be long enough to allow reflection by the defendant. The 
premeditated intent to kill must be formed before the act was committed. 
The question of premeditation is a question of fact to be determined by 
you from the evidence. It will be sufficient proof of premeditation if the 
circumstances of the attempted killing and the conduct of the accused 
convince you beyond a reasonable doubt of the existence of premeditation at 
the time of the attempted killing. 
It is not an attempt to commit first degree premeditated murder if the 
defendant abandoned [his] [her] attempt to commit the offense or otherwise 
 
 
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prevented its commission, under circumstances indicating a complete and 
voluntary renunciation of [his] [her] criminal purpose.  
Give only if there is evidence that the defendant acted in the heat of passion 
on legally adequate provocation. 
An issue in this case is whether (defendant) did not act with a 
premeditated design to kill because [he] [she] acted in the heat of passion 
based on adequate provocation. In order to find that the defendant did not act 
with a premeditated design to kill because [he] [she] acted in the heat of 
passion based on adequate provocation: 
a. 
there must have been a sudden event that would have 
suspended the exercise of judgment in an ordinary 
reasonable person; and 
b. 
a reasonable person would have lost normal self-control and 
would have been driven by a blind and unreasoning fury; 
and  
c. 
there was not a reasonable amount of time for a reasonable 
person to cool off; and  
d. 
a reasonable person would not have cooled off before 
committing the act that constituted the attempt to cause 
death; and  
e. 
the (defendant) was, in fact, so provoked and did not cool off 
before [he] [she] committed the act that constituted the 
attempt to cause the death of (victim). 
If you have a reasonable doubt about whether the defendant acted with 
a premeditated design to kill because [he] [she] acted in the heat of passion 
based on adequate provocation, you should not find [him] [her] guilty of 
Attempted First Degree Premeditated Murder.  
 
 
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§ 782.065(2), Fla. Stat. Enhanced penalty. Give if applicable.  
If you find the defendant guilty of Attempted First Degree Murder, you 
must then determine whether the State has further proven beyond a 
reasonable doubt that (victim) was a [law enforcement officer] [part-time law 
enforcement officer] [auxiliary law enforcement officer] [correctional officer] 
[part-time correctional officer] [auxiliary correctional officer] [correctional 
probation officer] [part-time correctional probation officer] [auxiliary 
correctional probation officer] engaged in the lawful performance of a legal 
duty. 
Definitions. § 943.10, Fla. Stat. 
“Law enforcement officer” means any person who is elected, appointed, 
or employed full time by any municipality or the state or any political 
subdivision thereof; who is vested with authority to bear arms and make 
arrests; and whose primary responsibility is the prevention and detection of 
crime or the enforcement of the penal, criminal, traffic, or highway laws of 
the state. This definition includes all certified supervisory and command 
personnel whose duties include, in whole or in part, the supervision, training, 
guidance, and management responsibilities of full-time law enforcement 
officers, part-time law enforcement officers, or auxiliary law enforcement 
officers but does not include support personnel employed by the employing 
agency. 
“Employing agency” means any agency or unit of government or any 
municipality or the state or any political subdivision thereof, or any agent 
thereof, which has constitutional or statutory authority to employ or appoint 
persons as officers. The term also includes any private entity which has 
contracted with the state or county for the operation and maintenance of a 
nonjuvenile detention facility. 
 “Correctional officer” means any person who is appointed or employed 
full time by the state or any political subdivision thereof, or by any private 
entity which has contracted with the state or county, and whose primary 
responsibility is the supervision, protection, care, custody, and control, or 
investigation, of inmates within a correctional institution; however, the term 
“correctional officer” does not include any secretarial, clerical, or 
professionally trained personnel. 
 
 
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“Correctional probation officer” means a person who is employed full 
time by the state whose primary responsibility is the supervised custody, 
surveillance, and control of assigned inmates, probationers, parolees, or 
community controllees within institutions of the Department of Corrections or 
within the community. The term includes supervisory personnel whose duties 
include, in whole or in part, the supervision, training, and guidance of 
correctional probation officers, but excludes management and administrative 
personnel above, but not including, the probation and parole regional 
administrator level. 
“Part-time law enforcement officer” means any person employed or 
appointed less than full time, as defined by an employing agency, with or 
without compensation, who is vested with authority to bear arms and make 
arrests and whose primary responsibility is the prevention and detection of 
crime or the enforcement of the penal, criminal, traffic, or highway laws of 
the state. 
“Part-time correctional officer” means any person who is employed or 
appointed less than full time, as defined by the employing or appointing 
agency, with or without compensation, whose responsibilities include the 
supervision, protection, care, custody, and control of inmates within a 
correctional institution. 
“Auxiliary law enforcement officer” means any person employed or 
appointed, with or without compensation, who aids or assists a full-time or 
part-time law enforcement officer and who, while under the direct supervision 
of a full-time or part-time law enforcement officer, has the authority to arrest 
and perform law enforcement functions. 
“Auxiliary correctional officer” means any person employed or 
appointed, with or without compensation, who aids or assists a full-time or 
part-time correctional officer and who, while under the supervision of a full-
time or part-time correctional officer, has the same authority as a full-time or 
part-time correctional officer for the purpose of providing supervision, 
protection, care, custody, and control of inmates within a correctional 
institution or a county or municipal detention facility. 
 
 
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Lesser Included Offenses 
 
ATTEMPTED FIRST DEGREE (PREMEDITATED) MURDER — 
782.04(1) and 777.04 
CATEGORY ONE 
CATEGORY TWO 
FLA. STAT. 
INS. 
NO. 
Attempted second 
degree (depraved 
mind) murder 
 
782.04(2) and 
777.04 
6.4 
Attempted 
manslaughter by act 
 
782.07 and 
777.04 
6.6 
Attempted aggravated 
battery (intentionally 
cause great bodily 
harm) 
 
784.045(1)(a)1 
and 777.04 
8.4 and 
5.1 
Attempted battery 
(intentionally cause 
bodily harm) 
 
784.03(1)(a)2 
and 777.04 
8.3 and 
5.1 
 
Attempted felony 
murder 
782.051(1) 
6.3 
 
Attempted felony 
murder 
782.051(2) 
6.3 
 
Attempted felony 
murder 
782.051(3) 
6.3(a) 
 
Aggravated battery 
784.045 
8.4 
 
Felony battery 
784.041(1) 
8.5 
 
Aggravated Assault 
784.021 
8.2 
 
Battery 
784.03 
8.3 
 
Assault 
784.011 
8.1 
 
Comments 
Regarding the enhanced penalty under Fla. Stat. § 782.065, the statute does 
not specify that it is an element of the offense that the defendant knew or had 
reason to know that the victim was a law enforcement officer, etc. In Thompson v. 
State, 695 So. 2d 691 (Fla. 1997), the Supreme Court held that knowledge of the 
victim’s status is a necessary element of attempted murder of a law enforcement 
officer, but that was prior to the enactment of Fla. Stat. § 782.065 and was based 
on a construction of Fla. Stat. § 784.07, which explicitly contains a knowledge 
 
 
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requirement. As of February 2013, no case has decided whether knowledge of the 
victim’s status is an element under Fla. Stat. § 782.065.  
See Instruction 5.1 for the affirmative defense of renunciation.  
See Instruction 6.7 for the § 782.065, Fla. Stat., reclassification when the 
victim is a law enforcement officer, correctional officer, etc.   
A charging document that tracks the language of the Attempted First-Degree 
Premeditated Murder statute does not charge Attempted Felony Murder. See 
Weatherspoon v. State, 214 So. 3d 578 (Fla. 2017).   
This instruction was adopted in 1994 [636 So. 2d 502] and amended in 2014 
[137 So. 3d 995] and 2018. 
 
6.3 ATTEMPTED FELONY MURDER 
[ENUMERATED FELONY] [NON-ENUMERATED FELONY] 
§ 782.051(1) and (2), Fla. Stat. 
In the absence of an express concession that the attempted homicide was not 
excusable or justified, the trial judge must also read Instruction 6.1, Introduction 
to Attempted Homicide.  
To prove the crime of Attempted Felony Murder, the State must prove 
the following three elements beyond a reasonable doubt: 
1. 
(Defendant) [committed] [attempted to commit] a (crime 
alleged). 
2. 
While engaged in the [commission] [attempted commission] 
[escape from the immediate scene] of (crime alleged), the 
defendant [committed] [aided or abetted] an intentional act 
that is not an essential element of (crime alleged). 
3. 
This intentional act could have but did not cause the death 
of (victim). 
(Crime alleged) is defined by Florida law as (define the crime). 
 
 
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In order to convict the defendant of Attempted Felony Murder, it is not 
necessary for the State to prove that [he] [she] had a premeditated design or 
intent to kill. 
If the underlying felony or attempted felony is charged as a separate count, 
read instruction 3.12(d) (Legally Interlocking Counts). Failure to do so may result 
in an impermissible inconsistent verdict. See, e.g., Brown v. State, 959 So. 2d 218 
(Fla. 2007). 
§ 782.065(2), Fla. Stat. Enhanced penalty. Give if applicable. 
If you find the defendant guilty of Attempted Felony Murder, you must 
then determine whether the State has further proven beyond a reasonable 
doubt that (victim) was a [law enforcement officer] [part-time law 
enforcement officer] [auxiliary law enforcement officer] [correctional officer] 
[part-time correctional officer] [auxiliary correctional officer] [correctional 
probation officer] [part-time correctional probation officer] [auxiliary 
correctional probation officer] engaged in the lawful performance of a legal 
duty. 
Definitions for enhanced penalty. § 943.10, Fla. Stat. 
“Law enforcement officer” means any person who is elected, appointed, 
or employed full time by any municipality or the state or any political 
subdivision thereof; who is vested with authority to bear arms and make 
arrests; and whose primary responsibility is the prevention and detection of 
crime or the enforcement of the penal, criminal, traffic, or highway laws of 
the state. This definition includes all certified supervisory and command 
personnel whose duties include, in whole or in part, the supervision, training, 
guidance, and management responsibilities of full-time law enforcement 
officers, part-time law enforcement officers, or auxiliary law enforcement 
officers but does not include support personnel employed by the employing 
agency. 
“Employing agency” means any agency or unit of government or any 
municipality or the state or any political subdivision thereof, or any agent 
thereof, which has constitutional or statutory authority to employ or appoint 
persons as officers. The term also includes any private entity which has 
contracted with the state or county for the operation and maintenance of a 
nonjuvenile detention facility. 
 
 
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“Correctional officer” means any person who is appointed or employed 
full time by the state or any political subdivision thereof, or by any private 
entity which has contracted with the state or county, and whose primary 
responsibility is the supervision, protection, care, custody, and control, or 
investigation, of inmates within a correctional institution; however, the term 
“correctional officer” does not include any secretarial, clerical, or 
professionally trained personnel. 
“Correctional probation officer” means a person who is employed full 
time by the state whose primary responsibility is the supervised custody, 
surveillance, and control of assigned inmates, probationers, parolees, or 
community controllees within institutions of the Department of Corrections or 
within the community. The term includes supervisory personnel whose duties 
include, in whole or in part, the supervision, training, and guidance of 
correctional probation officers, but excludes management and administrative 
personnel above, but not including, the probation and parole regional 
administrator level. 
 
“Part-time law enforcement officer” means any person employed or 
appointed less than full time, as defined by an employing agency, with or 
without compensation, who is vested with authority to bear arms and make 
arrests and whose primary responsibility is the prevention and detection of 
crime or the enforcement of the penal, criminal, traffic, or highway laws of 
the state. 
“Part-time correctional officer” means any person who is employed or 
appointed less than full time, as defined by the employing or appointing 
agency, with or without compensation, whose responsibilities include the 
supervision, protection, care, custody, and control of inmates within a 
correctional institution. 
“Auxiliary law enforcement officer” means any person employed or 
appointed, with or without compensation, who aids or assists a full-time or 
part-time law enforcement officer and who, while under the direct supervision 
of a full-time or part-time law enforcement officer, has the authority to arrest 
and perform law enforcement functions. 
 
 
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“Auxiliary correctional officer” means any person employed or 
appointed, with or without compensation, who aids or assists a full-time or 
part-time correctional officer and who, while under the supervision of a full-
time or part-time correctional officer, has the same authority as a full-time or 
part-time correctional officer for the purpose of providing supervision, 
protection, care, custody, and control of inmates within a correctional 
institution or a county or municipal detention facility. 
Lesser Included Offenses 
 
6.3 ATTEMPTED FELONY MURDER 
[ENUMERATED FELONY] [NON-ENUMERATED FELONY] — 
§ 782.051(1) and (2), Fla. Stat. 
CATEGORY ONE 
CATEGORY TWO FLA. STAT. 
INS. NO. 
Attempted 
Manslaughter By Act 
 
782.07 & 
777.04 
6.6 
 
Aggravated Battery 
784.045 
8.4 
 
Felony Battery 
784.041(1) 
8.5 
 
Aggravated Assault 
784.021 
8.2 
 
Battery 
784.03 
8.3 
 
Assault 
784.011 
8.1 
 
Comments 
 
Section § 782.051(1), Fla. Stat., applies where the defendant is alleged to 
have committed or attempted to commit a felony enumerated in section 
§ 782.04(3), Fla. Stat. 
Section § 782.051(2), Fla. Stat., applies where the defendant is alleged to 
have committed or attempted to commit a felony not enumerated in section 
§ 782.04(3), Fla. Stat. 
Regarding the enhanced penalty under Fla. Stat. § 782.065 the statute does 
not specify that it is an element of the offense that the defendant knew or had 
reason to know that the victim was a law enforcement officer, etc. In Thompson v. 
State, 695 So. 2d 691 (Fla. 1997), the Supreme Court held that knowledge of the 
victim’s status is a necessary element of attempted murder of a law enforcement 
officer, but that was prior to the enactment of Fla. Stat. § 782.065 and was based 
 
 
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on a construction of Fla. Stat. § 784.07, which explicitly contains a knowledge 
requirement. As of February 2013, no case has decided whether knowledge of the 
victim’s status is an element under Fla. Stat. § 782.065. 
A charging document that tracks the language of the Attempted First-Degree 
Premeditated Murder statute does not charge Attempted Felony Murder. See 
Weatherspoon v. State, 214 So. 3d 578 (Fla. 2017).   
See Instruction 5.1 for the affirmative defense of renunciation. 
See Instruction 6.7 for the § 782.065, Fla. Stat., reclassification when the 
victim is a law enforcement officer, correctional officer, etc.   
This instruction was adopted in 2007 [962 So. 2d 310] and amended in 2014 
[137 So. 3d 995] and 2018. See Battle v. State, 911 So. 2d 85 (Fla. 2005). 
 
6.3(a) ATTEMPTED FELONY MURDER — INJURY CAUSED BY 
ANOTHER 
§ 782.051(3) Fla. Stat. 
In the absence of an express concession that the attempted homicide was not 
excusable or justified, the trial judge must also read Instruction 6.1, Introduction 
to Attempted Homicide.  
To prove the crime of Attempted Felony Murder, the State must prove 
the following two elements beyond a reasonable doubt: 
1. 
(Defendant) [committed] [attempted to commit] a (crime 
alleged).  
2. 
(Victim) was injured during the [commission] [attempted 
commission] of an escape from the immediate scene of the 
(crime alleged) by an individual other than the person(s) 
[committing] [attempting to commit] [escaping from the 
immediate scene of] the (crime alleged). 
(Crime alleged) is defined by Florida law as (define the crime). 
 
 
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In order to convict the defendant of aAttempted fFelony mMurder, it is 
not necessary for the state to prove that the defendant had a premeditated 
design or intent to kill. 
If the underlying felony or attempted felony is charged as a separate count, 
read instruction 3.12(d) (Legally Interlocking Counts). Failure to do so may result 
in an impermissible inconsistent verdict. See, e.g., Brown v. State, 959 So. 2d 218 
(Fla. 2007). 
§ 782.065(2), Fla. Stat. Enhanced penalty. Give if applicable.  
If you find the defendant guilty of Attempted Felony Murder, you must 
then determine whether the State has further proven beyond a reasonable 
doubt that (victim) was a [law enforcement officer] [part-time law 
enforcement officer] [auxiliary law enforcement officer] [correctional officer] 
[part-time correctional officer] [auxiliary correctional officer] [correctional 
probation officer] [part-time correctional probation officer] [auxiliary 
correctional probation officer] engaged in the lawful performance of a legal 
duty. 
Definitions. § 943.10, Fla. Stat. 
“Law enforcement officer” means any person who is elected, appointed, 
or employed full time by any municipality or the state or any political 
subdivision thereof; who is vested with authority to bear arms and make 
arrests; and whose primary responsibility is the prevention and detection of 
crime or the enforcement of the penal, criminal, traffic, or highway laws of 
the state. This definition includes all certified supervisory and command 
personnel whose duties include, in whole or in part, the supervision, training, 
guidance, and management responsibilities of full-time law enforcement 
officers, part-time law enforcement officers, or auxiliary law enforcement 
officers but does not include support personnel employed by the employing 
agency. 
“Employing agency” means any agency or unit of government or any 
municipality or the state or any political subdivision thereof, or any agent 
thereof, which has constitutional or statutory authority to employ or appoint 
persons as officers. The term also includes any private entity which has 
contracted with the state or county for the operation and maintenance of a 
nonjuvenile detention facility. 
 
 
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“Correctional officer” means any person who is appointed or employed 
full time by the state or any political subdivision thereof, or by any private 
entity which has contracted with the state or county, and whose primary 
responsibility is the supervision, protection, care, custody, and control, or 
investigation, of inmates within a correctional institution; however, the term 
“correctional officer” does not include any secretarial, clerical, or 
professionally trained personnel. 
“Correctional probation officer” means a person who is employed full 
time by the state whose primary responsibility is the supervised custody, 
surveillance, and control of assigned inmates, probationers, parolees, or 
community controllees within institutions of the Department of Corrections or 
within the community. The term includes supervisory personnel whose duties 
include, in whole or in part, the supervision, training, and guidance of 
correctional probation officers, but excludes management and administrative 
personnel above, but not including, the probation and parole regional 
administrator level. 
“Part-time law enforcement officer” means any person employed or 
appointed less than full time, as defined by an employing agency, with or 
without compensation, who is vested with authority to bear arms and make 
arrests and whose primary responsibility is the prevention and detection of 
crime or the enforcement of the penal, criminal, traffic, or highway laws of 
the state. 
“Part-time correctional officer” means any person who is employed or 
appointed less than full time, as defined by the employing or appointing 
agency, with or without compensation, whose responsibilities include the 
supervision, protection, care, custody, and control of inmates within a 
correctional institution. 
“Auxiliary law enforcement officer” means any person employed or 
appointed, with or without compensation, who aids or assists a full-time or 
part-time law enforcement officer and who, while under the direct supervision 
of a full-time or part-time law enforcement officer, has the authority to arrest 
and perform law enforcement functions. 
 
 
- 20 - 
“Auxiliary correctional officer” means any person employed or 
appointed, with or without compensation, who aids or assists a full-time or 
part-time correctional officer and who, while under the supervision of a full-
time or part-time correctional officer, has the same authority as a full-time or 
part-time correctional officer for the purpose of providing supervision, 
protection, care, custody, and control of inmates within a correctional 
institution or a county or municipal detention facility. 
Lesser Included Offenses 
 
6.3(a) ATTEMPTED FELONY MURDER – INJURY CAUSED  
BY ANOTHER — § 782.051(3) Fla. Stat. 
CATEGORY ONE 
CATEGORY TWO 
FLA. STAT. INS. NO. 
None 
 
 
 
 
Attempted Manslaughter 
by Act 
782.07 & 
777.04 
6.6 
 
Comments 
 
Section § 782.051(3), Fla. Stat., applies only where the defendant was 
committing or attempting to commit a felony enumerated in section § 782.04(3), 
Fla. Stat. 
Regarding the enhanced penalty under Fla. Stat. § 782.065 the statute does 
not specify that it is an element of the offense that the defendant knew or had 
reason to know that the victim was a law enforcement officer, etc. In Thompson v. 
State, 695 So. 2d 691 (Fla. 1997), the Supreme Court held that knowledge of the 
victim’s status is a necessary element of attempted murder of a law enforcement 
officer, but that was prior to the enactment of Fla. Stat. § 782.065 and was based 
on a construction of Fla. Stat. § 784.07, which explicitly contains a knowledge 
requirement. As of February 2013, no case has decided whether knowledge of the 
victim’s status is an element under Fla. Stat. § 782.065. 
A charging document that tracks the language of the Attempted First-Degree 
Premeditated Murder statute does not charge Attempted Felony Murder. See 
Weatherspoon v. State, 214 So. 3d 578 (Fla. 2017).   
See Instruction 5.1 for the affirmative defense of renunciation. 
 
 
- 21 - 
See Instruction 6.7 for the § 782.065, Fla. Stat., reclassification when the 
victim is a law enforcement officer, correctional officer, etc.   
This instruction was adopted in 2007 [962 So. 2d 310] and amended in 2014 
[137 So. 3d 995] and 2018. 
 
6.4 ATTEMPTED SECOND DEGREE MURDER 
§§ 782.04(2) and 777.04, Fla. Stat. 
In the absence of an express concession that the attempted homicide was not 
excusable or justified, the trial judge must also read Instruction 6.1, Introduction 
to Attempted Homicide. 
To prove the crime of Attempted Second Degree Murder, the State must 
prove the following two elements beyond a reasonable doubt: 
1. 
(Defendant) intentionally committed an act which would 
have resulted in the death of (victim) except that someone 
prevented (defendant) from killing (victim) or [he] [she] 
failed to do so. 
2. 
The act was imminently dangerous to another and 
demonstrating a depraved mind without regard for human 
life. 
Definitions. 
An “act” includes a series of related actions arising from and performed 
pursuant to a single design or purpose. 
An act is “imminently dangerous to another and demonstrating a 
depraved mind” if it is an act or series of acts that: 
1. 
a person of ordinary judgment would know is reasonably 
certain to kill or do serious bodily injury to another, and 
2. 
is done from ill will, hatred, spite, or an evil intent, and 
 
 
- 22 - 
3. 
is of such a nature that the act itself indicates an 
indifference to human life. 
In order to convict the defendant of Attempted Second Degree Murder, 
it is not necessary for the State to prove the defendant had an intent to cause 
death. 
It is not an attempt to commit second degree murder if the defendant 
abandoned the attempt to commit the offense or otherwise prevented its 
commission under circumstances indicating a complete and voluntary 
renunciation of [his] [her] criminal purpose. 
Give only if there is evidence that the defendant acted in the heat of passion 
on legally adequate provocation. 
An issue in this case is whether (defendant) did not have a depraved 
mind without regard for human life because [he] [she] acted in the heat of 
passion based on adequate provocation. In order to find that the defendant 
did not have a depraved mind without regard for human life because [he] 
[she] acted in the heat of passion based on adequate provocation: 
a. 
there must have been a sudden event that would have 
suspended the exercise of judgment in an ordinary 
reasonable person; and 
b. 
a reasonable person would have lost normal self-control and 
would have been driven by a blind and unreasoning fury; 
and  
c. 
there was not a reasonable amount of time for a reasonable 
person to cool off; and  
d. 
a reasonable person would not have cooled off before 
committing the act that would have resulted in death; and  
e. 
the (defendant) was, in fact, so provoked and did not cool off 
before [he] [she] committed the act that would have resulted 
in the death of (victim). 
 
 
- 23 - 
If you have a reasonable doubt about whether the defendant had a 
depraved mind without regard for human life because [he] [she] acted in the 
heat of passion based on adequate provocation, you should not find [him] 
[her] guilty of Attempted Second Degree Murder.  
§ 782.065(2), Fla. Stat. Enhanced penalty. Give if applicable. 
If you find the defendant guilty of Attempted Second Degree Murder, 
you must then determine whether the State has further proven beyond a 
reasonable doubt that (victim) was a [law enforcement officer] [part-time law 
enforcement officer] [auxiliary law enforcement officer] [correctional officer] 
[part-time correctional officer] [auxiliary correctional officer] [correctional 
probation officer] [part-time correctional probation officer] [auxiliary 
correctional probation officer] engaged in the lawful performance of a legal 
duty. 
Definitions for enhanced penalty. § 943.10, Fla. Stat. 
“Law enforcement officer” means any person who is elected, appointed, 
or employed full time by any municipality or the state or any political 
subdivision thereof; who is vested with authority to bear arms and make 
arrests; and whose primary responsibility is the prevention and detection of 
crime or the enforcement of the penal, criminal, traffic, or highway laws of 
the state. This definition includes all certified supervisory and command 
personnel whose duties include, in whole or in part, the supervision, training, 
guidance, and management responsibilities of full-time law enforcement 
officers, part-time law enforcement officers, or auxiliary law enforcement 
officers but does not include support personnel employed by the employing 
agency. 
“Employing agency” means any agency or unit of government or any 
municipality or the state or any political subdivision thereof, or any agent 
thereof, which has constitutional or statutory authority to employ or appoint 
persons as officers. The term also includes any private entity which has 
contracted with the state or county for the operation and maintenance of a 
nonjuvenile detention facility. 
 “Correctional officer” means any person who is appointed or employed 
full time by the state or any political subdivision thereof, or by any private 
entity which has contracted with the state or county, and whose primary 
 
 
- 24 - 
responsibility is the supervision, protection, care, custody, and control, or 
investigation, of inmates within a correctional institution; however, the term 
“correctional officer” does not include any secretarial, clerical, or 
professionally trained personnel. 
“Correctional probation officer” means a person who is employed full 
time by the state whose primary responsibility is the supervised custody, 
surveillance, and control of assigned inmates, probationers, parolees, or 
community controllees within institutions of the Department of Corrections or 
within the community. The term includes supervisory personnel whose duties 
include, in whole or in part, the supervision, training, and guidance of 
correctional probation officers, but excludes management and administrative 
personnel above, but not including, the probation and parole regional 
administrator level. 
“Part-time law enforcement officer” means any person employed or 
appointed less than full time, as defined by an employing agency, with or 
without compensation, who is vested with authority to bear arms and make 
arrests and whose primary responsibility is the prevention and detection of 
crime or the enforcement of the penal, criminal, traffic, or highway laws of 
the state. 
“Part-time correctional officer” means any person who is employed or 
appointed less than full time, as defined by the employing or appointing 
agency, with or without compensation, whose responsibilities include the 
supervision, protection, care, custody, and control of inmates within a 
correctional institution. 
“Auxiliary law enforcement officer” means any person employed or 
appointed, with or without compensation, who aids or assists a full-time or 
part-time law enforcement officer and who, while under the direct supervision 
of a full-time or part-time law enforcement officer, has the authority to arrest 
and perform law enforcement functions. 
“Auxiliary correctional officer” means any person employed or 
appointed, with or without compensation, who aids or assists a full-time or 
part-time correctional officer and who, while under the supervision of a full-
time or part-time correctional officer, has the same authority as a full-time or 
 
 
- 25 - 
part-time correctional officer for the purpose of providing supervision, 
protection, care, custody, and control of inmates within a correctional 
institution or a county or municipal detention facility. 
Lesser Included Offenses 
 
ATTEMPTED SECOND DEGREE MURDER — 782.04(2) and 777.04 
CATEGORY ONE 
CATEGORY TWO 
FLA. STAT. 
INS. NO. 
Attempted  
manslaughter by act 
 
782.07 and 
777.04 
6.6 
 
Aggravated battery 
784.045 
8.4 
 
Felony battery 
784.041(1) 
8.5 
 
Aggravated Assault 
784.021 
8.2 
 
Battery 
784.03 
8.3 
 
Assault 
784.011 
8.1 
 
Comments 
 
Regarding the enhanced penalty under Fla. Stat. § 782.065 the statute does 
not specify that it is an element of the offense that the defendant knew or had 
reason to know that the victim was a law enforcement officer, etc. In Thompson v. 
State, 695 So. 2d 691 (Fla. 1997), the Supreme Court held that knowledge of the 
victim’s status is a necessary element of attempted murder of a law enforcement 
officer, but that was prior to the enactment of Fla. Stat. § 782.065 and was based 
on a construction of Fla. Stat. § 784.07, which explicitly contains a knowledge 
requirement. As of February 2013, no case has decided whether knowledge of the 
victim’s status is an element under Fla. Stat. § 782.065.  
See Instruction 5.1 for the affirmative defense of renunciation. 
See Instruction 6.7 for the § 782.065, Fla. Stat., reclassification when the 
victim is a law enforcement officer, correctional officer, etc.   
This instruction was adopted in 1994 and amended in 1997 [697 So. 2d 84], 
and 2014 [137 So. 3d 995] and 2018. 
 
 
 
- 26 - 
6.6 ATTEMPTED MANSLAUGHTER BY ACT 
§§ 782.07 and 777.04, Fla. Stat. 
To prove the crime of Attempted Manslaughter by Act, the State must 
prove the following element beyond a reasonable doubt: 
(Defendant) intentionally committed an act [or procured the commission 
of an act], which would have resulted in the death of (victim) except that 
someone prevented (defendant) from killing (victim) or [he] [she] failed to do 
so. 
However, the defendant cannot be guilty of Attempted Manslaughter by 
Act by committing a merely negligent act. Each of usEvery person has a duty 
to act reasonably and use ordinary care toward others. If there is a violation 
of that duty, without any conscious intention to harm, that violation is 
negligence. 
Give only if procurement is alleged and provenif applicable. 
To “procure” means to persuade, induce, prevail upon, or cause a 
person to do something. 
It is fundamental error not to instruct on justifiable attempted homicide and 
excusable attempted homicide in the absence of an express concession that the 
attempted homicide was not excusable or justified. See State v. Spencer, 216 So. 3d 
481 (Fla. 2017). 
In order to convict of Attempted Manslaughter by Act it is not 
necessary for the State to prove that the defendant had an intent to cause 
death, only an intent to commit an act which would have caused death and 
was not justifiable or excusable attempted homicide, as I have previously 
instructed you. (The explanations of justifiable attempted homicide and excusable 
attempted homicide are in Instruction 6.1, Introduction to Attempted Homicide.) 
 
 
 
- 27 - 
Lesser Included Offenses 
 
ATTEMPTED MANSLAUGHTER BY ACT— 
782.07 and 777.04 
CATEGORY ONE 
CATEGORY TWO 
FLA. STAT. 
INS. NO. 
NoneAttempted 
aggravated battery 
(intentionally cause 
great bodily harm) 
 
784.045(1)(a)
1 and 777.04 
8.4 and 
5.1 
Attempted battery 
(intentionally cause 
bodily harm) 
 
784.03(1)(a)2 
and 777.04 
8.3 and 
5.1 
 
Aggravated  
Battery 
784.045 
8.4 
 
Felony Battery 
784.041 
8.5 
 
Battery 
784.03 
8.3 
 
Assault 
784.011 
8.1 
 
Comments 
 
In the event of any reinstruction on attempted manslaughter by act, the 
instructions on justifiable and excusable attempted homicide as previously given 
should be given at the same time. Hedges v. State, 172 So. 2d 824 (Fla. 1965). 
There is no crime of attempted manslaughter by culpable negligence. See 
Taylor v. State, 444 So. 2d 931 (Fla. 1983). 
See Instruction 5.1 for the affirmative defense of renunciation. 
This instruction was adopted in 1994 [636 So. 2d 502] and amended in 2014 
[132 So. 3d 1124], and 2017 [213 So. 3d 680], and 2018.  
 
 
 
- 28 - 
6.7 ATTEMPTED MURDER — RECLASSIFIED (BY VICTIM’S 
EMPLOYMENT AS LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER, CORRECTIONAL 
OFFICER, ETC.) 
§ 782.065, Fla. Stat. 
In Ramroop v. State, 214 So. 3d 657 (Fla. 2017), the Florida Supreme Court 
held that § 782.065(2), Fla. Stat. is a reclassification statute that creates a 
substantive offense. Accordingly, the trial judge should add the three elements 
below to the elements section of the appropriate Attempted Murder crime (See 
Instruction 6.2, 6.3, 6.3(a), or 6.4.)  
(Victim) was a [law enforcement officer] [part-time law 
enforcement officer] [auxiliary law enforcement officer] [correctional 
officer] [part-time correctional officer] [auxiliary correctional officer] 
[correctional probation officer] [part-time correctional probation 
officer] [auxiliary correctional probation officer].  
(Defendant) knew that (victim) was a [law enforcement officer] 
[part-time law enforcement officer] [auxiliary law enforcement officer] 
[correctional officer] [part-time correctional officer] [auxiliary 
correctional officer] [correctional probation officer] [part-time 
correctional probation officer] [auxiliary correctional probation 
officer].  
(Victim) was engaged in the lawful performance of a legal duty. 
Definitions. § 943.10, Fla. Stat. Give as applicable. 
“Law enforcement officer” means any person who is elected, appointed, 
or employed full time by any municipality or the State or any political 
subdivision thereof; who is vested with authority to bear arms and make 
arrests; and whose primary responsibility is the prevention and detection of 
crime or the enforcement of the penal, criminal, traffic, or highway laws of 
the State. This definition includes all certified supervisory and command 
personnel whose duties include, in whole or in part, the supervision, training, 
guidance, and management responsibilities of full-time law enforcement 
officers, part-time law enforcement officers, or auxiliary law enforcement 
officers but does not include support personnel employed by the employing 
agency. 
 
 
- 29 - 
“Employing agency” means any agency or unit of government or any 
municipality or the State or any political subdivision thereof, or any agent 
thereof, which has constitutional or statutory authority to employ or appoint 
persons as officers. The term also includes any private entity which has 
contracted with the State or county for the operation and maintenance of a 
nonjuvenile detention facility. 
“Correctional officer” means any person who is appointed or employed 
full time by the State or any political subdivision thereof, or by any private 
entity which has contracted with the State or county, and whose primary 
responsibility is the supervision, protection, care, custody, and control, or 
investigation, of inmates within a correctional institution; however, the term 
“correctional officer” does not include any secretarial, clerical, or 
professionally trained personnel. 
“Correctional probation officer” means a person who is employed full 
time by the State whose primary responsibility is the supervised custody, 
surveillance, and control of assigned inmates, probationers, parolees, or 
community controllees within institutions of the Department of Corrections or 
within the community. The term includes supervisory personnel whose duties 
include, in whole or in part, the supervision, training, and guidance of 
correctional probation officers, but excludes management and administrative 
personnel above, but not including, the probation and parole regional 
administrator level. 
“Part-time law enforcement officer” means any person employed or 
appointed less than full time, as defined by an employing agency, with or 
without compensation, who is vested with authority to bear arms and make 
arrests and whose primary responsibility is the prevention and detection of 
crime or the enforcement of the penal, criminal, traffic, or highway laws of 
the State. 
“Part-time correctional officer” means any person who is employed or 
appointed less than full time, as defined by the employing or appointing 
agency, with or without compensation, whose responsibilities include the 
supervision, protection, care, custody, and control of inmates within a 
correctional institution. 
 
 
- 30 - 
 
“Auxiliary law enforcement officer” means any person employed or 
appointed, with or without compensation, who aids or assists a full-time or 
part-time law enforcement officer and who, while under the direct supervision 
of a full-time or part-time law enforcement officer, has the authority to arrest 
and perform law enforcement functions. 
“Auxiliary correctional officer” means any person employed or 
appointed, with or without compensation, who aids or assists a full-time or 
part-time correctional officer and who, while under the supervision of a full-
time or part-time correctional officer, has the same authority as a full-time or 
part-time correctional officer for the purpose of providing supervision, 
protection, care, custody, and control of inmates within a correctional 
institution or a county or municipal detention facility. 
Lesser Included Offenses 
ATTEMPTED FIRST DEGREE PREMEDITATED MURDER 
RECLASSIFIED — 782.04(1), 777.04, and 782.065 
CATEGORY ONE 
CATEGORY TWO 
FLA. STAT. 
INS. 
NO. 
Attempted First 
Degree Premeditated 
Murder  
 
782.04(1) and 
777.04 
6.2 
Attempted Second 
Degree Murder – 
Reclassified  
 
782.04, 777.04, 
and 782.065 
6.4 and 
6.7 
Attempted Second 
Degree Murder 
 
782.04(2) and 
777.04 
6.4 
Attempted 
Manslaughter by Act 
 
782.07 and 
777.04 
6.6 
Attempted aggravated 
battery (intentionally 
cause great bodily 
harm) 
 
784.045(1)(a)1 
and 777.04 
8.4 and 
5.1 
Attempted battery 
(intentionally cause 
bodily harm) 
 
784.03(1)(a)2 
and 777.04 
8.3 and 
5.1 
 
 
 
 
- 31 - 
 
Attempted felony 
murder - reclassified 
782.051(1) and 
782.065 
6.3 and 
6.7 
 
Attempted felony 
murder 
782.051(1) 
6.3 
 
Attempted felony 
murder -reclassified 
782.051(2) and 
782.065 
6.3 and 
6.7 
 
Attempted felony 
murder  
782.051(2) 
6.3 
 
Attempted felony 
murder- reclassified 
782.051(3) and 
782.065 
6.3(a) 
and 6.7 
 
Attempted felony 
murder 
782.051(3) 
6.3(a) 
 
Aggravated battery 
784.045 
8.4 
 
Felony battery 
784.041(1) 
8.5 
 
Aggravated Assault 
784.021 
8.2 
 
Battery 
784.03 
8.3 
 
Assault 
784.011 
8.1 
 
Comments 
 
The reclassification in § 782.065, Fla. Stat., does not apply to the lesser-
included offense of Attempted Manslaughter by Act. 
This instruction was adopted in 2018. 
 
7.2 MURDER — FIRST DEGREE 
§ 782.04(1)(a), Fla. Stat. 
In the absence of an express concession that the homicide was not excusable 
or justified, the trial judge must also read Instruction 7.1, Introduction to 
Homicide.  
When there will be instructions on both premeditated and first-degree felony 
murder, the following explanatory paragraph should be read to the jury. 
There are two ways in which a person may be convicted of commit 
fFirst dDegree mMurder. One is known as First Degree pPremeditated 
mMurder and the other is known as First Degree fFelony mMurder. 
 
 
- 32 - 
If jury is to be instructed only on premeditated murder: 
To prove the crime of First Degree Premeditated Murder, the State 
must prove the following three elements beyond a reasonable doubt: 
1. 
(Victim) is dead. 
2. 
The death was caused by the criminal act of (defendant). 
3. 
There was a premeditated killing of (victim). 
Definitions. 
An “act” includes a series of related actions arising from and performed 
pursuant to a single design or purpose. 
“Killing with premeditation” is killing after consciously deciding to do 
so.  The decision must be present in the mind at the time of the killing.  The 
law does not fix the exact period of time that must pass between the formation 
of the premeditated intent to kill and the killing.  The period of time must be 
long enough to allow reflection by the defendant.  The premeditated intent to 
kill must be formed before the killing. 
The question of premeditation is a question of fact to be determined by 
you from the evidence.  It will be sufficient proof of premeditation if the 
circumstances of the killing and the conduct of the accused convince you 
beyond a reasonable doubt of the existence of premeditation at the time of the 
killing. 
Transferred intent. Give if applicable. 
If a person has a premeditated design to kill one person and in 
attempting to kill that person actually kills another person, the killing is 
premeditated. 
Give only if there is evidence that the defendant acted in the heat of passion 
on legally adequate provocation. 
An issue in this case is whether (defendant) did not act with a 
premeditated design to kill because [he] [she] acted in the heat of passion 
based on adequate provocation. In order to find that the defendant did not act 
 
 
- 33 - 
with a premeditated design to kill because [he] [she] acted in the heat of 
passion based on adequate provocation: 
a. 
there must have been a sudden event that would have 
suspended the exercise of judgment in an ordinary 
reasonable person; and 
b. 
a reasonable person would have lost normal self-control and 
would have been driven by a blind and unreasoning fury; 
and  
c. 
there was not a reasonable amount of time for a reasonable 
person to cool off; and  
d. 
a reasonable person would not have cooled off before 
committing the act that caused death; and  
e. 
the (defendant) was, in fact, so provoked and did not cool off 
before [he] [she] committed the act that caused the death of 
(victim). 
If you have a reasonable doubt about whether the defendant acted with 
a premeditated design to kill because [he] [she] acted in the heat of passion 
based on adequate provocation, you should not find [him] [her] guilty of First 
Degree Premeditated Murder.  
§ 782.065(2), Fla. Stat. Enhanced penalty. Give if applicable.  
If you find the defendant guilty of First Degree Murder, you must then 
determine whether the State has further proven beyond a reasonable doubt 
that (victim) was a [law enforcement officer] [part-time law enforcement 
officer] [auxiliary law enforcement officer] [correctional officer] [part-time 
correctional officer] [auxiliary correctional officer] [correctional probation 
officer] [part-time correctional probation officer] [auxiliary correctional 
probation officer] engaged in the lawful performance of a legal duty. 
Definitions for enhanced penalty. § 943.10, Fla. Stat. 
“Law enforcement officer” means any person who is elected, appointed, 
or employed full time by any municipality or the state or any political 
 
 
- 34 - 
subdivision thereof; who is vested with authority to bear arms and make 
arrests; and whose primary responsibility is the prevention and detection of 
crime or the enforcement of the penal, criminal, traffic, or highway laws of 
the state. This definition includes all certified supervisory and command 
personnel whose duties include, in whole or in part, the supervision, training, 
guidance, and management responsibilities of full-time law enforcement 
officers, part-time law enforcement officers, or auxiliary law enforcement 
officers but does not include support personnel employed by the employing 
agency. 
“Employing agency” means any agency or unit of government or any 
municipality or the state or any political subdivision thereof, or any agent 
thereof, which has constitutional or statutory authority to employ or appoint 
persons as officers. The term also includes any private entity which has 
contracted with the state or county for the operation and maintenance of a 
nonjuvenile detention facility. 
“Correctional officer” means any person who is appointed or employed 
full time by the state or any political subdivision thereof, or by any private 
entity which has contracted with the state or county, and whose primary 
responsibility is the supervision, protection, care, custody, and control, or 
investigation, of inmates within a correctional institution; however, the term 
“correctional officer” does not include any secretarial, clerical, or 
professionally trained personnel. 
“Correctional probation officer” means a person who is employed full 
time by the state whose primary responsibility is the supervised custody, 
surveillance, and control of assigned inmates, probationers, parolees, or 
community controllees within institutions of the Department of Corrections or 
within the community. The term includes supervisory personnel whose duties 
include, in whole or in part, the supervision, training, and guidance of 
correctional probation officers, but excludes management and administrative 
personnel above, but not including, the probation and parole regional 
administrator level. 
“Part-time law enforcement officer” means any person employed or 
appointed less than full time, as defined by an employing agency, with or 
without compensation, who is vested with authority to bear arms and make 
 
 
- 35 - 
arrests and whose primary responsibility is the prevention and detection of 
crime or the enforcement of the penal, criminal, traffic, or highway laws of 
the state. 
“Part-time correctional officer” means any person who is employed or 
appointed less than full time, as defined by the employing or appointing 
agency, with or without compensation, whose responsibilities include the 
supervision, protection, care, custody, and control of inmates within a 
correctional institution. 
“Auxiliary law enforcement officer” means any person employed or 
appointed, with or without compensation, who aids or assists a full-time or 
part-time law enforcement officer and who, while under the direct supervision 
of a full-time or part-time law enforcement officer, has the authority to arrest 
and perform law enforcement functions. 
“Auxiliary correctional officer” means any person employed or 
appointed, with or without compensation, who aids or assists a full-time or 
part-time correctional officer and who, while under the supervision of a full-
time or part-time correctional officer, has the same authority as a full-time or 
part-time correctional officer for the purpose of providing supervision, 
protection, care, custody, and control of inmates within a correctional 
institution or a county or municipal detention facility. 
Lesser Included Offenses 
 
FIRST DEGREE (PREMEDITATED) MURDER — 782.04(1)(a) 
CATEGORY ONE 
CATEGORY TWO 
FLA. STAT. INS. 
NO. 
Second degree 
(depraved mind) 
murder 
 
782.04(2) 
7.4 
Manslaughter 
 
782.07 
7.7 
 
Aggravated 
Manslaughter (Child) 
782.07(3) 
7.7(a) 
 
Second degree 
(felony) murder 
782.04(3) 
7.5 
 
 
- 36 - 
 
Attempted felony 
murder 
782.051(1) 
6.3 
 
Attempted 
premeditated murder 
782.04(1) 
6.2 
 
Aggravated 
Manslaughter 
(Elderly 
Person/Disabled 
Adult) 
782.07(2) 
7.7(a) 
 
Aggravated 
Manslaughter 
(Officer/Firefighter/ 
EMT/Paramedic) 
782.07(4) 
7.7(a) 
 
Attempted second 
degree murder 
782.04(2) & 
777.04 
6.4 
 
Attempted felony 
murder 
782.051(2) 
6.3 
 
Third degree (felony) 
murder 
782.04(4) 
7.6 
 
Vehicular homicide 
782.071 
7.9 
 
Attempted felony 
murder 
782.051(3) 
6.3(a) 
 
Aggravated battery 
784.045 
8.4 
 
Attempted 
Manslaughter by Act 
782.07 & 
777.04 
6.6 
 
Felony Battery 
784.041(1) 
8.5 
 
Aggravated Assault 
784.021 
8.2 
 
Battery 
784.03 
8.3 
 
Culpable negligence  
784.05(2) 
8.9 
 
Culpable negligence 
784.05(1) 
8.9 
 
Assault  
784.011 
8.1 
 
Comments 
 
Regarding the enhanced penalty under Fla. Stat. § 782.065 the statute does 
not specify that it is an element of the offense that the defendant knew or had 
reason to know that the victim was a law enforcement officer, etc. In Thompson v. 
State, 695 So. 2d 691 (Fla. 1997), the Supreme Court held that knowledge of the 
victim’s status is a necessary element of attempted murder of a law enforcement 
 
 
- 37 - 
officer, but that was prior to the enactment of Fla. Stat. § 782.065 and was based 
on a construction of Fla. Stat. § 784.07, which explicitly contains a knowledge 
requirement. As of February 2013, no case has decided whether knowledge of the 
victim’s status is an element under Fla. Stat. § 782.065. 
If the case involves transferred intent, insert Instruction 3.6(o). 
See Instruction 7.13 for the § 782.065, Fla. Stat., reclassification when the 
victim is a law enforcement officer, correctional officer, etc.   
This instruction was adopted in 1981 and was amended in October 1981, 
2008 [994 So. 2d 1038], and 2014 [137 So. 3d 995], and 2018. 
 
 
7.3 FELONY MURDER — FIRST DEGREE 
§ 782.04(1)(a), Fla. Stat. 
In the absence of an express concession that the homicide was not excusable 
or justified, the trial judge must also read Instruction 7.1, Introduction to 
Homicide.  
To prove the crime of First Degree Felony Murder, the State must prove 
the following three elements beyond a reasonable doubt: 
1. 
(Victim) is dead. 
Give 2a, 2b, and/or 2c as applicable. 
2. 
a. 
While engaged in the commission of a[n] (felony alleged), 
 
[(defendant)] [(defendant’s) accomplice] caused the death of 
 
(victim). 
b. 
While engaged in the attempt to commit a[n] (felony 
alleged), [(defendant)] [(defendant’s) accomplice] 
caused the death of (victim). 
 
 
- 38 - 
c. 
 While escaping from the immediate scene after 
[committing] [attempting to commit] a[n] (felony 
alleged), [(defendant)] [(defendant’s) accomplice] 
caused the death of (victim). 
Give 3a if defendant was the person who actually killed the deceased. 
3. 
a. 
[(Defendant) was the person who actually killed
 
(victim).] 
Give 3b if defendant was not the person who actually killed the deceased. 
b. 
[(Victim) was killed by a person other than (defendant); but 
both (defendant) and the person who killed (victim) were 
principals in the commission of (crime alleged).] 
In order to convict the defendant of First Degree Felony Murder, it is 
not necessary for the State to prove that the defendant had a premeditated 
design or intent to kill. 
1. 
Define the crime alleged. If Burglary, also define crime that 
was the object of burglary. 
2. 
If 2b above is given, also define “attempt” (see 5.1). 
3. 
If 3b is given, immediately give principal instruction (3.5(a)). 
4. 
Since the statute does not require its proof, it is not necessary to 
define “premeditation.” 
5. 
If the underlying felony is charged as a separate count, read 
instruction 3.12(d)(Legally Interlocking Counts). Failure to do 
so may result in an impermissible inconsistent verdict. See, e.g., 
Brown v. State, 959 So. 2d 218 (Fla. 2007). 
§ 782.065(2), Fla. Stat. Enhanced penalty. Give if applicable.  
If you find the defendant guilty of first degree felony murder, you must 
then determine whether the State has further proven beyond a reasonable 
doubt that (victim) was a [law enforcement officer] [part-time law 
enforcement officer] [auxiliary law enforcement officer] [correctional officer] 
[part-time correctional officer] [auxiliary correctional officer] [correctional 
 
 
- 39 - 
probation officer] [part-time correctional probation officer] [auxiliary 
correctional probation officer] engaged in the lawful performance of a legal 
duty. 
Definitions for enhanced penalty. § 943.10, Fla. Stat. 
“Law enforcement officer” means any person who is elected, appointed, 
or employed full time by any municipality or the state or any political 
subdivision thereof; who is vested with authority to bear arms and make 
arrests; and whose primary responsibility is the prevention and detection of 
crime or the enforcement of the penal, criminal, traffic, or highway laws of 
the state. This definition includes all certified supervisory and command 
personnel whose duties include, in whole or in part, the supervision, training, 
guidance, and management responsibilities of full-time law enforcement 
officers, part-time law enforcement officers, or auxiliary law enforcement 
officers but does not include support personnel employed by the employing 
agency. 
“Employing agency” means any agency or unit of government or any 
municipality or the state or any political subdivision thereof, or any agent 
thereof, which has constitutional or statutory authority to employ or appoint 
persons as officers. The term also includes any private entity which has 
contracted with the state or county for the operation and maintenance of a 
nonjuvenile detention facility. 
“Correctional officer” means any person who is appointed or employed 
full time by the state or any political subdivision thereof, or by any private 
entity which has contracted with the state or county, and whose primary 
responsibility is the supervision, protection, care, custody, and control, or 
investigation, of inmates within a correctional institution; however, the term 
“correctional officer” does not include any secretarial, clerical, or 
professionally trained personnel. 
“Correctional probation officer” means a person who is employed full 
time by the state whose primary responsibility is the supervised custody, 
surveillance, and control of assigned inmates, probationers, parolees, or 
community controllees within institutions of the Department of Corrections or 
within the community. The term includes supervisory personnel whose duties 
include, in whole or in part, the supervision, training, and guidance of 
 
 
- 40 - 
correctional probation officers, but excludes management and administrative 
personnel above, but not including, the probation and parole regional 
administrator level. 
“Part-time law enforcement officer” means any person employed or 
appointed less than full time, as defined by an employing agency, with or 
without compensation, who is vested with authority to bear arms and make 
arrests and whose primary responsibility is the prevention and detection of 
crime or the enforcement of the penal, criminal, traffic, or highway laws of 
the state. 
“Part-time correctional officer” means any person who is employed or 
appointed less than full time, as defined by the employing or appointing 
agency, with or without compensation, whose responsibilities include the 
supervision, protection, care, custody, and control of inmates within a 
correctional institution. 
“Auxiliary law enforcement officer” means any person employed or 
appointed, with or without compensation, who aids or assists a full-time or 
part-time law enforcement officer and who, while under the direct supervision 
of a full-time or part-time law enforcement officer, has the authority to arrest 
and perform law enforcement functions. 
“Auxiliary correctional officer” means any person employed or 
appointed, with or without compensation, who aids or assists a full-time or 
part-time correctional officer and who, while under the supervision of a full-
time or part-time correctional officer, has the same authority as a full-time or 
part-time correctional officer for the purpose of providing supervision, 
protection, care, custody, and control of inmates within a correctional 
institution or a county or municipal detention facility. 
 
 
- 41 - 
Lesser Included Offenses 
 
FIRST DEGREE (FELONY) MURDER — 782.04(1)(a) 
CATEGORY ONE 
CATEGORY TWO 
FLA. STAT. INS. 
NO. 
 
Second degree 
(depraved mind) 
murder 
782.04(2) 
7.4 
Manslaughter 
 
782.07 
7.7 
 
Aggravated 
Manslaughter (Child) 
782.07(3) 
7.7(a) 
 
Second degree 
(felony) murder 
782.04(3) 
7.5 
 
Aggravated 
Manslaughter 
(Elderly 
Person/Disabled 
Adult) 
782.07(2) 
7.7(a) 
 
Aggravated 
Manslaughter 
(Officer/Firefighter/ 
EMT/Paramedic) 
782.07(4) 
7.7(a) 
 
Third degree (felony) 
murder 
782.04(4) 
7.6 
 
Aggravated battery 
784.045 
8.4 
 
Felony battery 
784.041(1) 
8.5 
 
Aggravated assault 
784.021 
8.2 
 
Battery 
784.03 
8.3 
 
Assault 
784.011 
8.1 
 
Comments 
 
Regarding the enhanced penalty under Fla. Stat. § 782.065, the statute does 
not specify that it is an element of the offense that the defendant knew or had 
reason to know that the victim was a law enforcement officer, etc. In Thompson v. 
State, 695 So. 2d 691 (Fla. 1997), the Supreme Court held that knowledge of the 
victim’s status is a necessary element of attempted murder of a law enforcement 
officer, but that was prior to the enactment of Fla. Stat. § 782.065 and was based 
on a construction of Fla. Stat. § 784.07, which explicitly contains a knowledge 
 
 
- 42 - 
requirement. As of February 2013, no case has decided whether knowledge of the 
victim’s status is an element under Fla. Stat. § 782.065.  
See Instruction 7.13 for the § 782.065, Fla. Stat., reclassification when the 
victim is a law enforcement officer, correctional officer, etc.   
This instruction was adopted in 1981 and was amended in 1985, 1992 [603 
So. 2d 1175], 2011 [53 So. 3d 1017], and 2014 [146 So. 3d 1110], and 2018. 
 
7.4 MURDER — SECOND DEGREE 
§ 782.04(2), Fla. Stat. 
In the absence of an express concession that the homicide was not excusable 
or justified, the trial judge must also read Instruction 7.1, Introduction to 
Homicide.  
To prove the crime of Second Degree Murder, the State must prove the 
following three elements beyond a reasonable doubt: 
1. 
(Victim) is dead. 
2. 
The death was caused by the criminal act of (defendant). 
3. 
There was an unlawful killing of (victim) by an act 
imminently dangerous to another and demonstrating a 
depraved mind without regard for human life. 
Definitions. 
An “act” includes a series of related actions arising from and performed 
pursuant to a single design or purpose. 
An act is “imminently dangerous to another and demonstrating a 
depraved mind” if it is an act or series of acts that: 
1. 
a person of ordinary judgment would know is reasonably 
certain to kill or do serious bodily injury to another, and 
2. 
is done from ill will, hatred, spite, or an evil intent, and 
 
 
- 43 - 
3. 
is of such a nature that the act itself indicates an 
indifference to human life. 
In order to convict of Second Degree Murder, it is not necessary for the 
State to prove the defendant had an intent to cause death. 
Give only if there is evidence that the defendant acted in the heat of passion 
on legally adequate provocation. 
An issue in this case is whether (defendant) did not have a depraved 
mind without regard for human life because [he] [she] acted in the heat of 
passion based on adequate provocation. In order to find that the defendant 
did not have a depraved mind without regard for human life because [he] 
[she] acted in the heat of passion based on adequate provocation: 
a. 
there must have been a sudden event that would have 
suspended the exercise of judgment in an ordinary 
reasonable person; and 
b. 
a reasonable person would have lost normal self-
control and would have been driven by a blind and 
unreasoning fury; and 
c. 
there was not a reasonable amount of time for a 
reasonable person to cool off; and  
d. 
a reasonable person would not have cooled off before 
committing the act that caused death; and  
e. 
the (defendant) was, in fact, so provoked and did not 
cool off before [he] [she] committed the act that 
caused the death of (victim). 
If you have a reasonable doubt about whether the defendant had a 
depraved mind without regard for human life because [he] [she] acted in the 
heat of passion based on adequate provocation, you should not find [him] 
[her] guilty of Second Degree Murder.  
 
 
- 44 - 
§ 782.065(2), Fla. Stat. Enhanced penalty. Give if applicable. 
If you find the defendant guilty of Second Degree Murder, you must 
then determine whether the State has further proven beyond a reasonable 
doubt that (victim) was a [law enforcement officer] [part-time law 
enforcement officer] [auxiliary law enforcement officer] [correctional officer] 
[part-time correctional officer] [auxiliary correctional officer] [correctional 
probation officer] [part-time correctional probation officer] [auxiliary 
correctional probation officer] engaged in the lawful performance of a legal 
duty. 
Definitions. § 943.10, Fla. Stat. 
“Law enforcement officer” means any person who is elected, appointed, 
or employed full time by any municipality or the state or any political 
subdivision thereof; who is vested with authority to bear arms and make 
arrests; and whose primary responsibility is the prevention and detection of 
crime or the enforcement of the penal, criminal, traffic, or highway laws of 
the state. This definition includes all certified supervisory and command 
personnel whose duties include, in whole or in part, the supervision, training, 
guidance, and management responsibilities of full-time law enforcement 
officers, part-time law enforcement officers, or auxiliary law enforcement 
officers but does not include support personnel employed by the employing 
agency. 
“Employing agency” means any agency or unit of government or any 
municipality or the state or any political subdivision thereof, or any agent 
thereof, which has constitutional or statutory authority to employ or appoint 
persons as officers. The term also includes any private entity which has 
contracted with the state or county for the operation and maintenance of a 
nonjuvenile detention facility. 
“Correctional officer” means any person who is appointed or employed 
full time by the state or any political subdivision thereof, or by any private 
entity which has contracted with the state or county, and whose primary 
responsibility is the supervision, protection, care, custody, and control, or 
investigation, of inmates within a correctional institution; however, the term 
“correctional officer” does not include any secretarial, clerical, or 
professionally trained personnel. 
 
 
- 45 - 
“Correctional probation officer” means a person who is employed full 
time by the state whose primary responsibility is the supervised custody, 
surveillance, and control of assigned inmates, probationers, parolees, or 
community controllees within institutions of the Department of Corrections or 
within the community. The term includes supervisory personnel whose duties 
include, in whole or in part, the supervision, training, and guidance of 
correctional probation officers, but excludes management and administrative 
personnel above, but not including, the probation and parole regional 
administrator level. 
“Part-time law enforcement officer” means any person employed or 
appointed less than full time, as defined by an employing agency, with or 
without compensation, who is vested with authority to bear arms and make 
arrests and whose primary responsibility is the prevention and detection of 
crime or the enforcement of the penal, criminal, traffic, or highway laws of 
the state. 
“Part-time correctional officer” means any person who is employed or 
appointed less than full time, as defined by the employing or appointing 
agency, with or without compensation, whose responsibilities include the 
supervision, protection, care, custody, and control of inmates within a 
correctional institution. 
“Auxiliary law enforcement officer” means any person employed or 
appointed, with or without compensation, who aids or assists a full-time or 
part-time law enforcement officer and who, while under the direct supervision 
of a full-time or part-time law enforcement officer, has the authority to arrest 
and perform law enforcement functions. 
“Auxiliary correctional officer” means any person employed or 
appointed, with or without compensation, who aids or assists a full-time or 
part-time correctional officer and who, while under the supervision of a full-
time or part-time correctional officer, has the same authority as a full-time or 
part-time correctional officer for the purpose of providing supervision, 
protection, care, custody, and control of inmates within a correctional 
institution or a county or municipal detention facility. 
 
 
 
- 46 - 
Lesser Included Offenses 
 
SECOND DEGREE (DEPRAVED MIND) MURDER — 782.04(2) 
CATEGORY ONE 
CATEGORY TWO 
FLA. STAT. 
INS. NO. 
Manslaughter 
 
782.07 
7.7 
 
Aggravated 
Manslaughter (Child) 
782.07(3) 
7.7(a) 
 
Aggravated 
Manslaughter (Elderly 
Person/Disabled 
Adult) 
782.07(2) 
7.7(a) 
 
Aggravated 
Manslaughter 
(Officer/Firefighter/ 
EMT/Paramedic) 
782.07(4) 
7.7(a) 
 
Third degree (felony) 
murder 
782.04(4) 
7.6 
 
Vehicular homicide 
782.071 
7.9 
 
(Nonhomicide lessers) 
Attempted Second 
Degree Murder 
777.04(1) 
6.4 
 
Aggravated Battery 
784.045 
8.4 
 
Attempted 
Manslaughter by Act 
782.07 and 
777.04 
6.6 
 
Felony battery 
784.041(1) 
8.5 
 
Aggravated Assault 
784.021 
8.2 
 
Battery 
784.03 
8.3 
 
Culpable negligence 
784.05(2) 
8.9 
 
Culpable negligence 
784.05(1) 
8.9 
 
Assault  
784.011 
8.1 
 
Comments 
 
Regarding the enhanced penalty under Fla. Stat. § 782.065, the statute does 
not specify that it is an element of the offense that the defendant knew or had 
reason to know that the victim was a law enforcement officer, etc. In Thompson v. 
State, 695 So. 2d 691 (Fla. 1997), the Supreme Court held that knowledge of the 
victim’s status is a necessary element of attempted murder of a law enforcement 
officer, but that was prior to the enactment of Fla. Stat. § 782.065 and was based 
 
 
- 47 - 
on a construction of Fla. Stat. § 784.07, which explicitly contains a knowledge 
requirement. As of February 2013, no case has decided whether knowledge of the 
victim’s status is an element under Fla. Stat. § 782.065. 
See Instruction 7.13 for the § 782.065, Fla. Stat., reclassification when the 
victim is a law enforcement officer, correctional officer, etc.   
This instruction was adopted in 1981 and amended in 1997 [697 So. 2d 84], 
2008 [994 So. 2d 1038], and 2014 [137 So. 3d 995], and 2018. 
 
7.5 FELONY MURDER — SECOND DEGREE 
§ 782.04(3), Fla. Stat. 
In the absence of an express concession that the homicide was not excusable 
or justified, the trial judge must also read Instruction 7.1, Introduction to 
Homicide.  
To prove the crime of Second Degree Felony Murder, the State must 
prove the following four elements beyond a reasonable doubt: 
1. 
(Victim) is dead. 
2. 
(Defendant) was not the person who actually killed (victim), 
but (defendant) did commit or did knowingly aid, abet, 
counsel, hire, or otherwise procure the commission of a[n] 
(felony alleged). 
Give 3a, 3b, and/or 3c as applicable. 
3. 
a. 
(Victim’s) death was caused during and was a
 
consequence of the commission of the (felony alleged). 
b. 
(Victim’s) death was caused during and was a 
consequence of the attempted commission of the 
(felony alleged). 
c. 
(Victim’s) death was caused during and was a 
consequence of the escape from the immediate scene 
 
 
- 48 - 
of the [(felony alleged)] [attempt to commit the (felony 
alleged)]. 
4. 
The person who actually killed (victim) was not involved in 
the commission or the attempt to commit the (crime alleged). 
1. 
Define the crime alleged. If Burglary, also define crime that 
was object of burglary. 
2. 
If 3b above is given, also define “attempt” (see 5.1). 
3. 
If the underlying felony is charged as a separate count, read 
instruction 3.12(d)(Legally Interlocking Counts). Failure to do 
so may result in an impermissible inconsistent verdict. See, e.g., 
Brown v. State, 959 So. 2d 218 (Fla. 2007). 
§ 782.065(2), Fla. Stat. Enhanced penalty. Give if applicable.  
If you find the defendant guilty of second degree felony murder, you 
must then determine whether the State has further proven beyond a 
reasonable doubt that (victim) was a [law enforcement officer] [part-time law 
enforcement officer] [auxiliary law enforcement officer] [correctional officer] 
[part-time correctional officer] [auxiliary correctional officer] [correctional 
probation officer] [part-time correctional probation officer] [auxiliary 
correctional probation officer] engaged in the lawful performance of a legal 
duty. 
Definitions for enhanced penalty. § 943.10, Fla. Stat. 
“Law enforcement officer” means any person who is elected, appointed, 
or employed full time by any municipality or the state or any political 
subdivision thereof; who is vested with authority to bear arms and make 
arrests; and whose primary responsibility is the prevention and detection of 
crime or the enforcement of the penal, criminal, traffic, or highway laws of 
the state. This definition includes all certified supervisory and command 
personnel whose duties include, in whole or in part, the supervision, training, 
guidance, and management responsibilities of full-time law enforcement 
officers, part-time law enforcement officers, or auxiliary law enforcement 
officers but does not include support personnel employed by the employing 
agency. 
 
 
- 49 - 
“Employing agency” means any agency or unit of government or any 
municipality or the state or any political subdivision thereof, or any agent 
thereof, which has constitutional or statutory authority to employ or appoint 
persons as officers. The term also includes any private entity which has 
contracted with the state or county for the operation and maintenance of a 
nonjuvenile detention facility. 
“Correctional officer” means any person who is appointed or employed 
full time by the state or any political subdivision thereof, or by any private 
entity which has contracted with the state or county, and whose primary 
responsibility is the supervision, protection, care, custody, and control, or 
investigation, of inmates within a correctional institution; however, the term 
“correctional officer” does not include any secretarial, clerical, or 
professionally trained personnel. 
“Correctional probation officer” means a person who is employed full 
time by the state whose primary responsibility is the supervised custody, 
surveillance, and control of assigned inmates, probationers, parolees, or 
community controllees within institutions of the Department of Corrections or 
within the community. The term includes supervisory personnel whose duties 
include, in whole or in part, the supervision, training, and guidance of 
correctional probation officers, but excludes management and administrative 
personnel above, but not including, the probation and parole regional 
administrator level. 
“Part-time law enforcement officer” means any person employed or 
appointed less than full time, as defined by an employing agency, with or 
without compensation, who is vested with authority to bear arms and make 
arrests and whose primary responsibility is the prevention and detection of 
crime or the enforcement of the penal, criminal, traffic, or highway laws of 
the state. 
“Part-time correctional officer” means any person who is employed or 
appointed less than full time, as defined by the employing or appointing 
agency, with or without compensation, whose responsibilities include the 
supervision, protection, care, custody, and control of inmates within a 
correctional institution. 
 
 
- 50 - 
“Auxiliary law enforcement officer” means any person employed or 
appointed, with or without compensation, who aids or assists a full-time or 
part-time law enforcement officer and who, while under the direct supervision 
of a full-time or part-time law enforcement officer, has the authority to arrest 
and perform law enforcement functions. 
“Auxiliary correctional officer” means any person employed or 
appointed, with or without compensation, who aids or assists a full-time or 
part-time correctional officer and who, while under the supervision of a full-
time or part-time correctional officer, has the same authority as a full-time or 
part-time correctional officer for the purpose of providing supervision, 
protection, care, custody, and control of inmates within a correctional 
institution or a county or municipal detention facility. 
Lesser Included Offenses 
 
SECOND DEGREE (FELONY) MURDER — 782.04(3) 
CATEGORY ONE 
CATEGORY TWO 
FLA.STAT. 
INS. NO. 
Manslaughter* 
 
782.07 
7.7 
 
Aggravated 
Manslaughter (Child) 
782.07(3) 
7.7(a) 
 
Aggravated 
Manslaughter (Elderly 
Person/Disabled 
Adult) 
782.07(2) 
7.7(a) 
 
Aggravated 
Manslaughter 
(Officer/Firefighter/ 
EMT/Paramedic) 
782.07(4) 
7.7(a) 
 
Third degree (felony) 
murder 
782.04(4) 
7.6 
 
Comments 
 
Regarding the enhanced penalty under Fla. Stat. § 782.065, the statute does 
not specify that it is an element of the offense that the defendant knew or had 
reason to know that the victim was a law enforcement officer, etc. In Thompson v. 
State, 695 So. 2d 691 (Fla. 1997), the Supreme Court held that knowledge of the 
 
 
- 51 - 
victim’s status is a necessary element of attempted murder of a law enforcement 
officer, but that was prior to the enactment of Fla. Stat. § 782.065 and was based 
on a construction of Fla. Stat. § 784.07, which explicitly contains a knowledge 
requirement. As of February 2013, no case has decided whether knowledge of the 
victim’s status is an element under Fla. Stat. § 782.065.  
*Avila v. State, 745 So. 2d 983 (Fla. 4th DCA 1999) indicates that 
manslaughter is not a Category One lesser included offense of second degree 
felony murder, but see State v. Montgomery, 39 So. 3d 252 (Fla. 2010). 
See Instruction 7.13 for the § 782.065, Fla. Stat., reclassification when the 
victim is a law enforcement officer, correctional officer, etc. 
This instruction was adopted in 1981 and amended in 1985 [477 So. 2d 985], 
and 2014 [146 So. 3d 1110], and 2018. 
 
7.6 FELONY MURDER — THIRD DEGREE 
§ 782.04(4), Fla. Stat. 
In the absence of an express concession that the homicide was not excusable 
or justified, the trial judge must also read Instruction 7.1, Introduction to 
Homicide.  
To prove the crime of Third Degree Felony Murder, the State must 
prove the following three elements beyond a reasonable doubt: 
1. 
(Victim) is dead. 
Give 2a, 2b, and/or 2c as applicable. 
2. 
a. 
While engaged in the commission of a[n] (felony
 
alleged), [(defendant)] [(defendant’s) accomplice)]
 
caused the death of (victim). 
b. 
While engaged in the attempt to commit a[n] (felony 
alleged), [(defendant)] [(defendant’s) accomplice)] 
caused the death of (victim). 
 
 
- 52 - 
c. 
While escaping from the immediate scene after 
[committing] [attempting to commit] a[n] (felony 
alleged), [(defendant)] [(defendant’s) accomplice] 
caused the death of (victim). 
Give 3a if defendant was the person who actually killed the deceased. 
3. 
a. 
[(Defendant) was the person who actually killed (victim).] 
Give 3b if defendant was not the person who actually killed the deceased. 
b. 
[(Victim) was killed by a person other than 
(defendant); but both (defendant) and the person who 
killed (victim) were principals in the commission of 
(crime alleged).] 
It is not necessary for the State to prove the killing was perpetrated with 
a design to effect death. 
1. 
Define the crime alleged. 
2. 
If 2b above is given, also define “attempt” (see 5.1). 
3. 
If 3b is given, immediately give principal instruction (3.5(a)). 
4. 
If the underlying felony is charged as a separate count, read 
instruction 3.12(d)(Legally Interlocking Counts). Failure to do so may 
result in an impermissible inconsistent verdict. See, e.g., Brown v. 
State, 959 So. 2d 218 (Fla. 2007). 
§ 782.065(2), Fla. Stat. Enhanced penalty. Give if applicable. 
If you find the defendant guilty of third degree felony murder, you must 
then determine whether the State has further proven beyond a reasonable 
doubt that (victim) was a [law enforcement officer] [part-time law 
enforcement officer] [auxiliary law enforcement officer] [correctional officer] 
[part-time correctional officer] [auxiliary correctional officer] [correctional 
probation officer] [part-time correctional probation officer] [auxiliary 
correctional probation officer] engaged in the lawful performance of a legal 
duty. 
 
 
 
- 53 - 
Definitions. § 943.10, Fla. Stat. 
“Law enforcement officer” means any person who is elected, appointed, 
or employed full time by any municipality or the state or any political 
subdivision thereof; who is vested with authority to bear arms and make 
arrests; and whose primary responsibility is the prevention and detection of 
crime or the enforcement of the penal, criminal, traffic, or highway laws of 
the state. This definition includes all certified supervisory and command 
personnel whose duties include, in whole or in part, the supervision, training, 
guidance, and management responsibilities of full-time law enforcement 
officers, part-time law enforcement officers, or auxiliary law enforcement 
officers but does not include support personnel employed by the employing 
agency. 
“Employing agency” means any agency or unit of government or any 
municipality or the state or any political subdivision thereof, or any agent 
thereof, which has constitutional or statutory authority to employ or appoint 
persons as officers. The term also includes any private entity which has 
contracted with the state or county for the operation and maintenance of a 
nonjuvenile detention facility. 
“Correctional officer” means any person who is appointed or employed 
full time by the state or any political subdivision thereof, or by any private 
entity which has contracted with the state or county, and whose primary 
responsibility is the supervision, protection, care, custody, and control, or 
investigation, of inmates within a correctional institution; however, the term 
“correctional officer” does not include any secretarial, clerical, or 
professionally trained personnel. 
“Correctional probation officer” means a person who is employed full 
time by the state whose primary responsibility is the supervised custody, 
surveillance, and control of assigned inmates, probationers, parolees, or 
community controllees within institutions of the Department of Corrections or 
within the community. The term includes supervisory personnel whose duties 
include, in whole or in part, the supervision, training, and guidance of 
correctional probation officers, but excludes management and administrative 
personnel above, but not including, the probation and parole regional 
administrator level. 
 
 
- 54 - 
“Part-time law enforcement officer” means any person employed or 
appointed less than full time, as defined by an employing agency, with or 
without compensation, who is vested with authority to bear arms and make 
arrests and whose primary responsibility is the prevention and detection of 
crime or the enforcement of the penal, criminal, traffic, or highway laws of 
the state. 
“Part-time correctional officer” means any person who is employed or 
appointed less than full time, as defined by the employing or appointing 
agency, with or without compensation, whose responsibilities include the 
supervision, protection, care, custody, and control of inmates within a 
correctional institution. 
“Auxiliary law enforcement officer” means any person employed or 
appointed, with or without compensation, who aids or assists a full-time or 
part-time law enforcement officer and who, while under the direct supervision 
of a full-time or part-time law enforcement officer, has the authority to arrest 
and perform law enforcement functions. 
“Auxiliary correctional officer” means any person employed or 
appointed, with or without compensation, who aids or assists a full-time or 
part-time correctional officer and who, while under the supervision of a full-
time or part-time correctional officer, has the same authority as a full-time or 
part-time correctional officer for the purpose of providing supervision, 
protection, care, custody, and control of inmates within a correctional 
institution or a county or municipal detention facility. 
Lesser Included Offenses 
 
THIRD DEGREE (FELONY) MURDER — 782.04(4) 
CATEGORY ONE 
CATEGORY TWO 
FLA. STAT. 
INS. NO. 
Manslaughter 
 
782.07 
7.7 
 
Felony Battery 
784.041(1) 
8.5 
 
Aggravated assault 
784.021 
8.2 
 
Battery 
784.03 
8.3 
 
Assault 
784.011 
8.1 
 
 
 
- 55 - 
Comments 
 
Regarding the enhanced penalty under Fla. Stat. § 782.065, the statute does 
not specify that it is an element of the offense that the defendant knew or had 
reason to know that the victim was a law enforcement officer, etc. In Thompson v. 
State, 695 So. 2d 691 (Fla. 1997), the Supreme Court held that knowledge of the 
victim’s status is a necessary element of attempted murder of a law enforcement 
officer, but that was prior to the enactment of Fla. Stat. § 782.065 and was based 
on a construction of Fla. Stat. § 784.07, which explicitly contains a knowledge 
requirement. As of February 2013, no case has decided whether knowledge of the 
victim’s status is an element under Fla. Stat. § 782.065. 
See Instruction 7.13 for the § 782.065, Fla. Stat., reclassification when the 
victim is a law enforcement officer, correctional officer, etc.   
This instruction was adopted in 1981 and amended in 1992 [603 So. 2d 
1775], 1994 [639 So. 2d 602], and 2014 [146 So. 3d 1110], and 2018. 
 
7.7 MANSLAUGHTER 
§ 782.07, Fla. Stat. 
To prove the crime of Manslaughter, the State must prove the following 
two elements beyond a reasonable doubt: 
1. 
(Victim) is dead. 
Give 2a, 2b, and/or 2c depending upon allegations and proof. 
2. 
a. 
(Defendant) intentionally committed an act or acts that
 
caused the death of (victim). 
b. 
(Defendant) intentionally procured an act that caused 
the death of (victim). 
c. 
The death of (victim) was caused by the culpable 
negligence of (defendant). 
 
 
- 56 - 
It is fundamental error not to instruct on justifiable and excusable homicide 
in the absence of an express concession that the homicide was not excusable or 
justified. See State v. Spencer, 216 So. 3d 481 (Fla. 2017). 
Every person has a duty to act reasonably toward others. If there is a 
violation of that duty, without any conscious intention to harm, that violation 
is negligence. The defendant cannot be guilty of mManslaughter by 
committing a merely negligent act or if the killing was either justifiable or 
excusable homicide, as I have previously instructed you. (The explanations of 
justifiable homicide and excusable homicide are in Instruction 7.1, Introduction to 
Homicide.) 
Each of us has a duty to act reasonably toward others.  If there is a 
violation of that duty, without any conscious intention to harm, that violation 
is negligence. 
Give only if 2a alleged and proved. 
In order to convict of mManslaughter by act, it is not necessary for the 
State to prove that the defendant had an intent to cause death, only an intent 
to commit an act that was not merely negligent, justified, or excusable and 
which caused death.   
Give only if 2b alleged and provedis applicable. 
To “procure” means to persuade, induce, prevail upon or cause a 
person to do something. 
Give only if 2c alleged and provedis applicable. 
I will now define “culpable negligence” for you. Each of us As I have 
said, every person has a duty to act reasonably toward others.  If there is a 
violation of that duty, without any conscious intention to harm, that violation 
is negligence.  But culpable negligence is more than a failure to use ordinary 
care toward others.  In order for negligence to be culpable, it must be gross 
and flagrant.  Culpable negligence is a course of conduct showing reckless 
disregard of human life, or of the safety of persons exposed to its dangerous 
effects, or such an entire want of care as to raise a presumption of a conscious 
indifference to consequences, or which shows wantonness or recklessness, or a 
grossly careless disregard for the safety and welfare of the public, or such an 
 
 
- 57 - 
indifference to the rights of others as is equivalent to an intentional violation 
of such rights. 
The negligent act or omission must have been committed with an utter 
disregard for the safety of others.  Culpable negligence is consciously doing an 
act or following a course of conduct that the defendant must have known, or 
reasonably should have known, was likely to cause death or great bodily 
injury. 
Lesser Included Offenses 
 
MANSLAUGHTER - 782.07 
CATEGORY ONE 
CATEGORY TWO 
FLA. STAT. 
INS. NO. 
None 
 
 
 
 
Vehicular homicide 
782.071 
7.9 
 
Vessel homicide 
782.072 
7.9 
 
(Nonhomicide lessers*) 
Attempt 
777.04(1) 
5.1 
 
Aggravated assault 
784.021 
8.2 
 
Battery 
 
784.03 
8.3 
 
Assault 
784.011 
8.1 
 
Culpable negligence 
784.05 
8.9 
 
Comments 
 
*Non-homicide lesser-included offenses do not have to be given if the 
parties agree that causation is not in dispute and that the victim is dead. 
In the event of any reinstruction on manslaughter, the instructions on 
justifiable and excusable homicide as previously given should be given at the same 
time. Hedges v. State, 172 So. 2d 824 (Fla. 1965). 
In appropriate cases, an instruction on transferred intent should be given. 
See Eversley v. State, 748 So. 2d 963 (Fla. 1999), in any case in which 
causation is an issue to determine if a special jury instruction on causation is 
needed. 
 
 
- 58 - 
Assisting a suicide is Manslaughter, according to § 782.08, Fla. Stat. A 
special instruction will be needed in those cases.  
This instruction was adopted in 1981 and amended in 1985 [477 So. 2d 985], 
1992 [603 So. 2d 1175], 1994 [636 So. 2d 502], 2005 [911 So. 2d 1220], 2006 
[946 So. 2d 1061], 2008 [997 So. 2d 403], 2010 [41 So. 3d 853], 2011 [75 So. 3d 
210], and 2017 [213 So. 3d 680], and 2018.  
 
7.7(a) AGGRAVATED MANSLAUGHTER 
§ 782.07(2), § 782.07(3), and § 782.07(4), Fla. Stat. 
In the absence of an express concession that the homicide was not excusable 
or justified, the trial judge must also read Instruction 7.1, Introduction to 
Homicide.  
To prove the crime of Aggravated Manslaughter, the State must prove 
the following three elements beyond a reasonable doubt: 
1. 
(Victim) is dead. 
2. 
The death of (victim) was caused by the culpable negligence 
of (defendant). 
Give 3a or 3b as applicable. 
3. 
a. 
(Victim) was at the time [an elderly person] [a
 
disabled adult] [a child] and (victim’s) death was
 
caused by the neglect of (defendant), a caregiver for
 
(victim). 
b. 
(Victim) was [an officer] [a firefighter] [an emergency 
medical technician] [a paramedic] who was at the 
time performing duties that were within the course of 
[his] [her] employment. 
Each of usEvery person has a duty to act reasonably toward others. If 
there is a violation of that duty, without any conscious intention to harm, that 
violation is negligence. The defendant cannot be guilty of Aggravated 
 
 
- 59 - 
Mmanslaughter by causing a death because of a merely negligent act. But 
culpable negligence is more than a failure to use ordinary care toward others. 
In order for negligence to be culpable, it must be gross and flagrant. Culpable 
negligence is a course of conduct showing reckless disregard of human life, or 
of the safety of persons exposed to its dangerous effects, or such an entire 
want of care as to raise a presumption of a conscious indifference to 
consequences, or which shows wantonness or recklessness, or a grossly 
careless disregard for the safety and welfare of the public, or such an 
indifference to the rights of others as is equivalent to an intentional violation 
of such rights. The negligent act or omission must have been committed with 
an utter disregard for the safety of others. Culpable negligence is consciously 
doing an act or following a course of conduct that the defendant must have 
known, or reasonably should have known, was likely to cause death or great 
bodily injury. 
The defendant cannot be guilty of Aggravated Mmanslaughter if the 
killing was either justifiable or excusable homicide, as I have previously 
instructed you. (The explanations of justifiable homicide and excusable homicide 
are in Instruction 7.1, Introduction to Homicide.) 
Definitions. Give as applicable. 
§ 825.101(4), Fla. Stat. 
“Elderly person” means a person 60 years of age or older who is 
suffering from the infirmities of aging as manifested by advanced age, organic 
brain damage, or physical, mental, or emotional dysfunctioning, to the extent 
that the ability of the person to provide adequately for the person’s own care 
or protection is impaired. 
§ 825.101(3), Fla. Stat. 
“Disabled adult” means a person 18 years of age or older who suffers 
from a condition of physical or mental incapacitation due to developmental 
disability, organic brain damage, or mental illness, or who has one or more 
physical or mental limitations that restrict the person’s ability to perform the 
normal activities of daily living. 
§ 827.01(2), Fla. Stat. 
“Child” means any person under the age of 18 years. 
 
 
- 60 - 
As applied to an Elderly Person or a Disabled Adult. § 825.101(2), Fla. Stat. 
“Caregiver” means a person who has been entrusted with or has 
assumed responsibility for the care or the property of an elderly person or a 
disabled adult.  “Caregiver” includes, but is not limited to, relatives, court-
appointed or voluntary guardians, adult household members, neighbors, 
health care providers, and employees and volunteers of facilities. 
§ 825.101(6), Fla. Stat. 
“Facility” means any location providing day or residential care or 
treatment for elderly persons or disabled adults.  The term “facility” may 
include, but is not limited to, any hospital, training center, state institution, 
nursing home, assisted living facility, adult family-care home, adult day care 
center, group home, mental health treatment center, or continuing care 
community. 
As applied to a Child. § 827.01(1), Fla. Stat. 
“Caregiver” means a parent, adult household member, or other person 
responsible for a child’s welfare. 
§ 825.102(3)(a) or § 827.03(3)(e), Fla. Stat. 
“Neglect of [a child”] [an elderly person”] [a disabled adult”] means: 
1. 
A caregiver’s failure or omission to provide [a child] [an 
elderly person] [a disabled adult] with the care, supervision, 
and services necessary to maintain [a child’s] [an elderly 
person’s] [a disabled adult’s] physical and mental health, 
including, but not limited to, food, nutrition, clothing, 
shelter, supervision, medicine, and medical services that a 
prudent person would consider essential for the well-being 
of the [child] [elderly person] [disabled adult]; 
or 
2. 
A caregiver’s failure to make reasonable effort to protect [a 
child] [an elderly person] [a disabled adult] from abuse, 
neglect or exploitation by another person. 
 
 
- 61 - 
Neglect may be based on repeated conduct or on a single incident or 
omission by a caregiver that results in, or could reasonably be expected to 
result in, serious physical or [psychological] [mental] injury, or a substantial 
risk of death to [a child] [an elderly person] [a disabled adult]. 
Definitions. As applied to Designated Personnel. 
§ 943.10(14), Fla. Stat. See § 943.10, Fla. Stat., for further definitions.   
“Officer” means any person employed or appointed as a full-time, part-
time or auxiliary law enforcement officer, correctional officer, or correctional 
probation officer. 
§ 112.191 and § 633.35, Fla. Stat. 
“Firefighter” means any full-time duly employed uniformed firefighter 
employed by an employer, whose primary duty is the prevention and 
extinguishing of fires, the protection of life and property therefrom, the 
enforcement of municipal, county, and state fire prevention codes, as well as 
the enforcement of any law pertaining to the prevention and control of fires, 
who is certified by the Division of State Fire Marshal of the Department of 
Financial Services, who is a member of a duly constituted fire department of 
such employer or who is a volunteer firefighter. 
§ 401.23, Fla. Stat. 
“Emergency Medical Technician” means a person who is certified by 
the Department of Health to perform basic life support. 
§ 401.23, Fla. Stat. 
“Paramedic” means a person who is certified by the Department of 
Health to perform basic and advanced life support. 
 
 
- 62 - 
Lesser Included Offenses 
 
AGGRAVATED MANSLAUGHTER — 782.07(2), 782.07(3), AND 782.07(4) 
CATEGORY ONE 
CATEGORY TWO 
FLA. STAT. 
INS. NO. 
Manslaughter 
 
782.07 
7.7 
*Neglect by Culpable 
Negligence of a[n] 
[Elderly Person] 
[Disabled Adult] [Child] 
Causing Great Bodily 
Harm, Permanent 
Disability, or Permanent 
Disfigurement 
 
825.102(3)(b)
or 
827.03(2)(b) 
29.22 
or 
16.5 
*Neglect by Culpable 
Negligence of a[n] 
[Elderly Person] 
[Disabled Adult] [Child] 
Without Causing Great 
Bodily Harm, 
Permanent Disability, or 
Permanent 
Disfigurement 
 
825.102(3)(c)
or 
827.03(2)(d) 
29.22 
or 
16.6 
*Culpable Negligence 
Inflicting Injury 
 
784.05(2) 
8.9 
*Culpable Negligence 
Exposing Another to 
Injury 
 
784.05(1) 
8.9 
 
Comments 
 
*Non-homicide lesser-included offenses do not have to be given if the 
parties agree causation is not in dispute and that the victim is dead. 
There is no statutory requirement that the defendant have knowledge of 
victim’s status and as of November 2015August 2017, there was no case law 
addressing that issue.   
This instruction was adopted in 2017 [213 So. 3d 680] and amended in 2018.  
 
 
- 63 - 
7.13 MURDER – RECLASSIFIED (BY VICTIM’S EMPLOYMENT AS 
LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER, CORRECTIONAL OFFICER, ETC.) 
§ 782.065, Fla. Stat. 
In Ramroop v. State, 214 So. 3d 657 (Fla. 2017), the Florida Supreme Court 
held that § 782.065(2), Fla. Stat. is a reclassification statute that creates a 
substantive offense. Accordingly, the trial judge should add the three elements 
below to the elements section of the appropriate Murder crime (See Instruction 
7.2, 7.3, 7.4, 7.5, or 7.6).  
(Victim) was a [law enforcement officer] [part-time law 
enforcement officer] [auxiliary law enforcement officer] [correctional 
officer] [part-time correctional officer] [auxiliary correctional officer] 
[correctional probation officer] [part-time correctional probation 
officer] [auxiliary correctional probation officer].  
(Defendant) knew that (victim) was a [law enforcement officer] 
[part-time law enforcement officer] [auxiliary law enforcement officer] 
[correctional officer] [part-time correctional officer] [auxiliary 
correctional officer] [correctional probation officer] [part-time 
correctional probation officer] [auxiliary correctional probation 
officer].    
(Victim) was engaged in the lawful performance of a legal duty. 
Definitions. § 943.10, Fla. Stat. Give as applicable.   
“Law enforcement officer” means any person who is elected, appointed, 
or employed full time by any municipality or the State or any political 
subdivision thereof; who is vested with authority to bear arms and make 
arrests; and whose primary responsibility is the prevention and detection of 
crime or the enforcement of the penal, criminal, traffic, or highway laws of 
the State. This definition includes all certified supervisory and command 
personnel whose duties include, in whole or in part, the supervision, training, 
guidance, and management responsibilities of full-time law enforcement 
officers, part-time law enforcement officers, or auxiliary law enforcement 
officers but does not include support personnel employed by the employing 
agency. 
 
 
- 64 - 
“Employing agency” means any agency or unit of government or any 
municipality or the State or any political subdivision thereof, or any agent 
thereof, which has constitutional or statutory authority to employ or appoint 
persons as officers. The term also includes any private entity which has 
contracted with the State or county for the operation and maintenance of a 
nonjuvenile detention facility. 
 “Correctional officer” means any person who is appointed or employed 
full time by the State or any political subdivision thereof, or by any private 
entity which has contracted with the State or county, and whose primary 
responsibility is the supervision, protection, care, custody, and control, or 
investigation, of inmates within a correctional institution; however, the term 
“correctional officer” does not include any secretarial, clerical, or 
professionally trained personnel. 
“Correctional probation officer” means a person who is employed full 
time by the State whose primary responsibility is the supervised custody, 
surveillance, and control of assigned inmates, probationers, parolees, or 
community controllees within institutions of the Department of Corrections or 
within the community. The term includes supervisory personnel whose duties 
include, in whole or in part, the supervision, training, and guidance of 
correctional probation officers, but excludes management and administrative 
personnel above, but not including, the probation and parole regional 
administrator level. 
“Part-time law enforcement officer” means any person employed or 
appointed less than full time, as defined by an employing agency, with or 
without compensation, who is vested with authority to bear arms and make 
arrests and whose primary responsibility is the prevention and detection of 
crime or the enforcement of the penal, criminal, traffic, or highway laws of 
the State. 
“Part-time correctional officer” means any person who is employed or 
appointed less than full time, as defined by the employing or appointing 
agency, with or without compensation, whose responsibilities include the 
supervision, protection, care, custody, and control of inmates within a 
correctional institution. 
 
 
- 65 - 
“Auxiliary law enforcement officer” means any person employed or 
appointed, with or without compensation, who aids or assists a full-time or 
part-time law enforcement officer and who, while under the direct supervision 
of a full-time or part-time law enforcement officer, has the authority to arrest 
and perform law enforcement functions. 
“Auxiliary correctional officer” means any person employed or 
appointed, with or without compensation, who aids or assists a full-time or 
part-time correctional officer and who, while under the supervision of a full-
time or part-time correctional officer, has the same authority as a full-time or 
part-time correctional officer for the purpose of providing supervision, 
protection, care, custody, and control of inmates within a correctional 
institution or a county or municipal detention facility. 
 
Lesser Included Offenses 
 
FIRST DEGREE PREMEDITATED MURDER RECLASSIFIED — 
782.04(1)(a) and 782.065 
CATEGORY ONE 
CATEGORY TWO 
FLA. STAT. 
INS. 
NO. 
First Degree 
Premeditated Murder  
 
782.04(1)(a)  
7.2 
Second Degree 
Murder – Reclassified  
 
782.04(2) and 
782.065 
7.4 and 
7.13 
Second Degree 
Murder 
 
782.04(2) 
7.4 
Manslaughter  
 
782.07  
7.7 
 
Second Degree 
(Felony) Murder – 
Reclassified  
782.04(3) and 
782.065 
7.5 and 
7.13 
 
Second Degree 
(Felony) Murder 
782.04(3) 
7.5 
 
 
 
 
- 66 - 
 
Attempted Felony 
Murder - Reclassified 
782.051(1) and 
782.065 
6.3 and 
6.7 
 
Attempted Felony 
Murder 
782.051(1)  
6.3 
 
Attempted 
Premeditated Murder - 
Reclassified 
782.041(1), 
777.04, and 
782.065 
6.2 and 
6.7 
 
Attempted 
Premeditated Murder 
782.04(1) and 
777.04 
6.7 
 
Attempted Second 
Degree Murder - 
Reclassified 
782.04(2), 
777.04, and 
782.065 
6.4 and 
6.7 
 
Attempted Second 
Degree Murder 
782.04(2), 
777.04 
6.4 
 
Attempted Felony 
Murder- Reclassified 
782.05(2) and 
782.065 
6.3 and 
6.7 
 
Attempted Felony 
Murder 
782.051(2) 
6.3 
 
Third Degree Felony 
Murder - Reclassified 
782.04(4) and 
782.065 
7.6 and 
7.13 
 
Third Degree Felony 
Murder 
782.04(4) 
7.6 
 
Vehicular Homicide 
782.071 
7.5 
 
Attempted Felony 
Murder - Reclassified 
782.051(3) and 
782.065 
6.3(a) 
and 6.7 
 
Attempted Felony 
Murder  
782.051(3) 
6.3(a) 
 
Aggravated battery 
784.045 
8.4 
 
Attempted 
Manslaughter by Act  
782.07 and 
777.04 
6.6 
 
Felony battery 
784.041(1) 
8.5 
 
Aggravated Assault 
784.021 
8.2 
 
Battery 
784.03 
8.3 
 
Culpable Negligence 
784.05(2) 
8.9 
 
Culpable Negligence 
 
8.9 
 
Assault 
784.011 
8.1 
 
 
 
- 67 - 
Comments 
 
The reclassification in § 782.065, Fla. Stat., does not apply to the lesser 
included offense of Manslaughter. 
This instruction was adopted in 2018.