Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-cand-3_04-cv-00958/USCOURTS-cand-3_04-cv-00958-24/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 440
Nature of Suit: Other Civil Rights
Cause of Action: 42:1983 Civil Rights Act

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IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

FOR THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

STEPHANIE HARRINGTON,

Plaintiff,

 v.

POLICE OFFICER DEBBIE PEECOOK and

POLICE OFFICER BRETT POTTER, in their

individual and official capacities,

Defendants.

 /

No. C 04-00958 JSW

FINAL JURY INSTRUCTIONS

Case 3:04-cv-00958-JSW Document 151 Filed 08/22/05 Page 1 of 26
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DUTIES OF JURY TO FIND FACTS AND FOLLOW LAW

Members of the jury, now that you have heard all the evidence, it is my duty to instruct

you on the law which applies to this case. A copy of these instructions will be available in the jury

room for you to consult if you find it necessary.

It is your duty to find the facts from all the evidence in the case. To those facts you will

apply the law as I give it to you. You must follow the law as I give it to you whether you agree with

it or not. You must not be influenced by any personal likes or dislikes, opinions, prejudices, or

sympathy. That means that you must decide the case solely on the evidence before you. You will

recall that you took an oath promising to do so at the beginning of the case.

In following my instructions, you must follow all of them and not single out some and

ignore others; they are all equally important. You must not read into these instructions or into

anything the court may have said or done any suggestion as to what verdict you should return – that

is a matter entirely up to you.

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WHAT IS EVIDENCE

The evidence from which you are to decide what the facts are consists of:

(1) the sworn testimony of any witness;

(2) the exhibits which have been received into evidence; and

(3) any facts to which the lawyers have agreed or stipulated.

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WHAT IS NOT EVIDENCE

In reaching your verdict, you may consider only the testimony and exhibits received into

evidence. Certain things are not evidence, and you may not consider them in deciding what the

facts are. I will list them for you:

(1) Arguments and statements by lawyers are not evidence. The lawyers are not

witnesses. What they have said in their opening statements, will say in their closing arguments, and

at other times is intended to help you interpret the evidence, but it is not evidence. If the facts as

you remember them differ from the way the lawyers have stated them, your memory of them

controls.

(2) Questions and objections by lawyers are not evidence. Attorneys have a duty to

their clients to object when they believe a questions is improper under the rules of evidence. You

should not e influenced by the objection or by the court’s ruling on it.

(3) Testimony that has been excluded or stricken, or that you have been instructed to

disregard, is not evidence and must not be considered. 

(4) Anything you may have seen or heard when the court was not in session is not

evidence. You are to decide the case solely on the evidence received at trial.

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DIRECT AND CIRCUMSTANTIAL EVIDENCE

Evidence may be direct or circumstantial. Direct evidence is direct proof of a fact, such

as testimony by a witness about what the witness personally saw or heard or did. Circumstantial

evidence is proof of one or more facts from which you could find another fact. You should consider

both kinds of evidence. The law makes no distinction between the weight to be given to either

direct or circumstantial evidence. It is for you to decide how much weight to give to any evidence.

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BURDEN OF PROOF — PREPONDERANCE OF THE EVIDENCE

When a party has the burden of proof on any claim or affirmative defense by a

preponderance of the evidence, it means you must be persuaded by the evidence that the claim

or affirmative defense is more probably true than not true. Put another way, “preponderance of

the evidence” means evidence that has more convincing force than that opposed to it. If the

evidence is so evenly balanced that you are unable to say that the evidence on either side of an

issue predominates, your finding on that issue must be against the party who had the burden of

proving it.

You should base your decision on all of the evidence, regardless of which party

presented it.

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CREDIBILITY OF WITNESSES

In deciding the facts in this case, you may have to decide which testimony to believe and

which testimony not to believe. You may believe everything a witness says, or part of it, or none

of it.

In considering the testimony of any witness, you may take into account:

(1) the opportunity and ability of the witness to see or hear or know the things

testified to;

(2) the witness’ memory;

(3) the witness’ manner while testifying;

(4) the witness’ interest in the outcome of the case and any bias or prejudice;

(5) whether other evidence contradicted the witness’ testimony;

(6) the reasonableness of the witness’ testimony in light of all the evidence;

and

(7) any other factors that bear on believability.

The weight of the evidence as to a fact does not necessarily depend on the number of

witnesses who testify.

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CREDIBILITY OF WITNESSES (POLICE)

The testimony of a law enforcement officer should be considered by you just as any other

evidence in this case, and in evaluating the officer’s credibility you should use the same guidelines

which you apply to the testimony of any witness. You should not give either greater or lesser

credence to the testimony of a witness merely because he or she is a law enforcement officer.

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OPINION EVIDENCE, EXPERT WITNESSES

You have heard testimony from persons who, because of education or experience, are

permitted to state opinions and the reasons for those opinions.

Opinion testimony should be judged just like any other testimony. You may accept it or

reject it, and give it as much weight as you think it deserves, considering the witness’ education and

experience, the reasons given for the opinion, and all the other evidence in the case.

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TWO OR MORE PARTIES—DIFFERENT LEGAL RIGHTS

You should decide the case as to each defendant separately. Unless otherwise stated, the

instructions apply to all parties.

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DEPOSITION AS SUBSTANTIVE EVIDENCE

When a person is unavailable to testify at trial, the deposition of what person may be used

at the trial. A deposition is the sworn testimony of a witness taken before trial. The witness is

placed under oath to tell the truth and lawyers for each party may ask questions. The questions and

answers are recorded.

The depositions of John Harrington and Dr. Jim Anderson were presented to you.

Deposition testimony is entitled to the same consideration and is to be judged, insofar as possible,

in the same way as if the witness had been present to testify.

Do not place any significance on the behavior or tone of voice of any person reading the

questions or answers.

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IMPEACHMENT BY CONVICTION OF CRIME

The evidence that a witness has been convicted of a crime may be considered only as it

may affect the believability of that witness and for no other purpose.

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VIOLATIONS OF FEDERAL CIVIL RIGHTS — ELEMENTS

AND BURDEN OF PROOF

On the plaintiff’s claim for the use of excessive force in violation of the Fourth Amendment

to the United States Constitution, the plaintiff has the burden of proving each of the following

elements by a preponderance of the evidence:

1. the acts or omissions of the defendants were intentional;

2. the defendants acted under color of law; and

3. the acts or omissions of the defendants were the cause of the deprivation of the

plaintiff's rights protected by the Constitution or laws of the United States.

If you find that each of the elements on which the plaintiff has the burden of proof has been

proved, your verdict should be for the plaintiff. If, on the other hand, the plaintiff has failed to

prove any of these elements, your verdict should be for the defendants.

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EXCESSIVE FORCE—UNREASONABLE SEIZURE—LAWFUL ARREST

The plaintiff claims the defendants, by using excessive force in making a lawful arrest,

deprived plaintiff of the Fourth Amendment constitutional right to be free from an unreasonable

seizure.

A law enforcement officer has the right to use such force as is reasonably necessary under

the circumstances to make a lawful arrest. An unreasonable seizure occurs when a law enforcement

officer uses excessive force in making a lawful arrest. In deciding whether excessive force was

used, you should consider the totality of the circumstances at the time. The reasonableness of a

particular use of force must be judged objectively from the information available at the time from

the perspective of a reasonable officer on the scene, rather than with the 20/20 vision of hindsight.

Whether force is reasonably necessary or excessive is measured by the force a reasonable

and prudent law enforcement officer would use under the circumstances.

Some of the things you may want to consider in determining whether the defendants used

excessive force are the severity of the crime at issue, whether the plaintiff posed a reasonable threat

to the safety of the officer or others, and whether the plaintiff was actively resisting detention or

attempting to escape.

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NO SPECIFIC INTENT REQUIRED

It is not necessary to find that the defendants had any specific intent to deprive the plaintiff

of her constitutional rights, or that they acted with malice or ill will in order to find for the plaintiff.

The plaintiff is entitled to relief if the defendants intended the actions which resulted in a violation

of her constitutional rights. Whether the defendants acted with subjective good faith is irrelevant,

and plaintiff need not prove that the defendant officers had an evil heart.

Because you are to determine whether the officers’ use of force was objectively reasonable,

you should disregard the officers’ underlying intent or motivation, regardless of whether that intent

or motivation was good or evil.

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REASONABLENESS OF FORCE USED IF IT AGGRAVATES PRE-EXISTING

CONDITION UNKNOWN TO OFFICER

What would otherwise be considered reasonable force does not become excessive force

simply because the force aggravates a pre-existing condition which was unknown to the officers at

the time the force was used.

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LIABILITY FOR ONE OFFICER’S FAILURE TO INTERCEDE TO PREVENT

UNREASONABLE FORCE BY OTHER OFFICER

An officer has a duty to intercede when a fellow officer violates the constitutional rights of

a suspect. An officer who fails to intercede if another officer uses unreasonable force in the course

of an arrest would also be responsible for subjecting the suspect to a deprivation of her Fourth

Amendment Rights. 

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PROOF / MEASURE OF DAMAGES

It is the duty of the Court to instruct you about the measure of damages. By instructing

you on damages, the Court does not mean to suggest for which party your verdict should be

rendered.

If you find for the plaintiff, you must determine the plaintiff’s damages. The plaintiff has

the burden of providing damages by a preponderance of the evidence. Damages means the amount

of money which will reasonably and fairly compensate the plaintiff for any injury you find was

caused by the defendant. You should consider the following:

The nature and extent of the injuries;

The disability and loss of enjoyment of life experienced and which with

reasonable probability will be experienced in the future; 

The mental, physical, emotional pain and suffering experienced and which with

reasonable probability will be experienced in the future;

The reasonable value of necessary medical care, treatment, and services received

to the present time;

The reasonable value of necessary medical care, treatment and services which

with reasonable probability will be required in the future;

The reasonable value of wages lost to the present time;

The reasonable value of wages which with reasonable probability will be lost in

the future;

The plaintiff has the burden of proving damages by a preponderance of the

evidence, and it is for you to determine what damages, if any, have been proved. 

Your award must be based upon evidence and not upon speculation, guesswork or

conjecture.

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DAMAGES--AGGRAVATION OF PREEXISTING CONDITION

A person who has a condition or disability at the time of an injury is not entitled to recover

damages therefor. However, a plaintiff is entitled to recover damages for any aggravation of a

preexisting condition or disability, caused by the injury. 

This is true even if a condition or disability made plaintiff more susceptible to the possibility

of ill effects than a normally healthy person would have been, and even if a normally healthy person

probably would not have suffered any substantial injury. 

Where a preexisting condition or disability is so aggravated, the award of damages is limited

to the additional injury caused by the aggravation. 

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DAMAGES ARISING IN THE FUTURE – DISCOUNT TO PRESENT CASH VALUE

Any award future economic damages must be for the present cash value of those damages.

Non-economic damages such as pain and suffering are not reduced to present cash value.

Present cash value means the sum of money needed now, which, when invested at a

reasonable rate of return, will pay future damages at the times and in the amounts that you find the

damages will be incurred. 

The rate of return to be applied in determining present cash value should be the interest that

can reasonably be expected from safe investments that can be made by a person of ordinary produce,

who has ordinary financial experience and skill. You should also consider decreases in the value of

money which may be caused by future inflation.

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NOMINAL DAMAGES

The law which applies to this case authorizes an award of nominal damages. If you find

for the plaintiff but you find that the plaintiff has failed to prove damages as defined in these

instructions, you must award nominal damages. Nominal damages may not exceed one dollar.

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ELECTION OF FOREPERSON – SPECIAL VERDICT

Upon retiring to the jury room, you will select one of your number to act as your foreperson.

The foreperson will preside over your deliberations, and will be your spokesperson here in Court.

A form of Special Verdict has been prepared for your convenience. You will take this form to the

jury room. 

You will note that each of the interrogatories or questions calls for a yes or no answer. The

answer to each question must be the unanimous answer of the jury. Your foreperson will write the

unanimous answer of the jury in the space provided below each question. As you will note from the

wording of the questions, it will not be necessary to consider or answer any subsequent questions if

your answer to the yes/no questions is “no.” 

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DUTY TO DELIBERATE

When you begin your deliberations, you should elect one member of the jury as your

presiding juror. That person will preside over the deliberations and speak for you here in court.

You will then discuss the case with your fellow jurors to reach agreement if you can do so.

Your verdict must be unanimous.

Each of you must decide the case for yourself, but you should do so only after you have

considered all of the evidence, discussed it fully with the other jurors, and listened to the views of

your fellow jurors.

Do not be afraid to change your opinion if the discussion persuades you that you should.

Do not come to a decision simply because other jurors think it is right.

It is important that you attempt to reach a unanimous verdict but, of course, only if each

of you can do so after having made your own conscientious decision. Do not change an honest

belief about the weight and effect of the evidence simply to reach a verdict.

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USE OF NOTES

Some of you have taken notes during the trial. Whether or not you took notes, you should

rely on your own memory of what was said. Notes are only to assist your memory. You should not

be overly influenced by the notes.

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COMMUNICATION WITH COURT

If it becomes necessary during your deliberations to communicate with me, you may send

a note through the clerk or court security officer, signed by your presiding juror or by one or more

members of the jury. No member of the jury should ever attempt to communicate with me except

by a signed writing, and I will communicate with any member of the jury on anything concerning

the case only in writing, or here in open court. If you send out a question, I will consult with the

parties before answering it, which may take some time. You may continue your deliberations while

waiting for the answer to any question. Remember that you are not to tell anyone – including me

– how the jury stands, numerically or otherwise, until after you have reached a unanimous verdict

or have been discharged. Do not disclose any vote count in any note to the court.

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RETURN OF VERDICT

A verdict form has been prepared for you. After you have reached unanimous agreement

on a verdict, your presiding juror will fill in the form that has been given to you, sign and date it,

and advise the court that you are ready to return to the courtroom.

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