UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF FLORIDA

CASE NO. 22-80144-CR-Smith/Maynard(s)(s)

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

v.

JOFF STENN WROY PHILOSSAINT,

Defendant.

Members of the Jury:

It’s my duty to instruct you on the rules of law that you must use in 

deciding this case. After I’ve completed these instructions, you will go to the jury 

room and begin your discussions—what we call your deliberations.

You must decide whether the Government has proved the specific facts 

necessary to find the Defendant guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

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The Duty to Follow Instructions and the Presumption of Innocence

Your decision must be based only on the evidence presented during the 

trial. You must not be influenced in any way by either sympathy for or prejudice 

against the Defendant or the Government.

You must follow the law as I explain it—even if you do not agree with the 

law—and you must follow all of my instructions as a whole. You must not single 

out or disregard any of the Court's instructions on the law.

The indictment or formal charge against a Defendant isn’t evidence of 

guilt. The law presumes every Defendant is innocent. The Defendant does not 

have to prove his innocence or produce any evidence at all. A Defendant does 

not have to testify, and if the Defendant chose not to testify, you cannot consider 

that in any way while making your decision. The Government must prove guilt 

beyond a reasonable doubt. If it fails to do so, you must find the Defendant not 

guilty.

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Definition of “Reasonable Doubt”

The Government's burden of proof is heavy, but it doesn’t have to prove 

a Defendant's guilt beyond all possible doubt. The Government's proof only has 

to exclude any “reasonable doubt” concerning the Defendant's guilt.

A “reasonable doubt” is a real doubt, based on your reason and common 

sense after you’ve carefully and impartially considered all the evidence in the case.

“Proof beyond a reasonable doubt” is proof so convincing that you would 

be willing to rely and act on it without hesitation in the most important of your 

own affairs. If you are convinced that the Defendant has been proved guilty 

beyond a reasonable doubt, say so. If you are not convinced, say so.

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Consideration of Direct and Circumstantial Evidence;

Argument of Counsel; Comments by the Court

As I said before, you must consider only the evidence that I have admitted 

in the case. Evidence includes the testimony of witnesses and the exhibits 

admitted. But, anything the lawyers say is not evidence and isn’t binding on you.

You shouldn’t assume from anything I’ve said that I have any opinion 

about any factual issue in this case. Except for my instructions to you on the law, 

you should disregard anything I may have said during the trial in arriving at your 

own decision about the facts.

Your own recollection and interpretation of the evidence is what matters.

In considering the evidence you may use reasoning and common sense to 

make deductions and reach conclusions. You shouldn’t be concerned about 

whether the evidence is direct or circumstantial.

“Direct evidence” is the testimony of a person who asserts that he or she 

has actual knowledge of a fact, such as an eyewitness.

“Circumstantial evidence” is proof of a chain of facts and circumstances 

that tend to prove or disprove a fact. There’s no legal difference in the weight you 

may give to either direct or circumstantial evidence.

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Procurement of Citizenship or Naturalization Unlawfully

18 U.S.C. § 1425

The Defendant is charged with procuring citizenship contrary to law. It’s 

a Federal crime for any person to knowingly procure or attempt to procure, 

contrary to law, the naturalization of any person.

The Defendant can be found guilty of this offense, only if all the following 

facts are proved beyond a reasonable doubt:

(1) the Defendant knowingly procured

(2) contrary to law

(3) the naturalization of any person.

“Naturalization” means conferring citizenship on a person after his or her 

birth.

A defendant acts “contrary to law” if the defendant knowingly makes a 

false statement under oath in a proceeding or matter relating to naturalization.

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Credibility of Witnesses

When I say you must consider all the evidence, I don’t mean that you must 

accept all the evidence as true or accurate. You should decide whether you 

believe what each witness had to say, and how important that testimony was. In 

making that decision you may believe or disbelieve any witness, in whole or in 

part. The number of witnesses testifying concerning a particular point doesn’t 

necessarily matter.

To decide whether you believe any witness I suggest that you ask yourself a few 

questions:

• Did the witness impress you as one who was telling the truth?

• Did the witness have any particular reason not to tell the truth?

• Did the witness have a personal interest in the outcome of the

case?

• Did the witness seem to have a good memory?

• Did the witness have the opportunity and ability to accurately

observe the things he or she testified about?

• Did the witness appear to understand the questions clearly and

answer them directly?

• Did the witness's testimony differ from other testimony or other

evidence?

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On or About a Particular Date; Knowingly

You’ll see that the indictment charges that a crime was committed “on or 

about” a certain date. The Government doesn’t have to prove that the offense 

occurred on an exact date. The Government only has to prove beyond a 

reasonable doubt that the crime was committed on a date reasonably close to the 

date alleged.

The word “knowingly” means that an act was done voluntarily and 

intentionally and not because of a mistake or by accident.

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Caution: Punishment

(Single Defendant, Single Count)

I caution you that the Defendant is on trial only for the specific crime 

charged in the indictment. You’re here to determine from the evidence in this 

case whether the Defendant is guilty or not guilty of that specific crime.

You must never consider punishment in any way to decide whether the 

Defendant is guilty or not guilty. If you find the Defendant guilty, the 

punishment is for the Judge alone to decide later.

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Good-Faith Defense

“Good faith” is a complete defense to a charge that requires intent to 

defraud. A defendant isn’t required to prove good faith. The Government must 

prove intent to defraud beyond a reasonable doubt.

An honestly held opinion or an honestly formed belief cannot be 

fraudulent intent – even if the opinion or belief is mistaken. Similarly, 

evidence of a mistake in judgment, an error in management, or carelessness 

can’t establish fraudulent intent.

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Duty to Deliberate

Your verdict, whether guilty or not guilty, must be unanimous—in other 

words, you must all agree. Your deliberations are secret, and you’ll never have to 

explain your verdict to anyone.

Each of you must decide the case for yourself, but only after fully 

considering the evidence with the other jurors. So you must discuss the case with 

one another and try to reach an agreement. While you’re discussing the case, 

don’t hesitate to reexamine your own opinion and change your mind if you 

become convinced that you were wrong. But don’t give up your honest beliefs 

just because others think differently or because you simply want to get the case 

over with.

Remember that, in a very real way, you’re judges—judges of the facts. Your 

only interest is to seek the truth from the evidence in the case.

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Verdict

When you get to the jury room, choose one of your members to act as 

foreperson. The foreperson will direct your deliberations and will speak for you 

in court.

A verdict form has been prepared for your convenience.

[Explain verdict]

Take the verdict form with you to the jury room. When you’ve all agreed 

on the verdict, your foreperson must fill in the form, sign it, date it, and carry it. 

Then you’ll return it to the courtroom.

If you wish to communicate with me at any time, please write down your 

message or question and give it to the marshal. The marshal will bring it to me 

and I’ll respond as promptly as possible—either in writing or by talking to you in 

the courtroom. But I caution you not to tell me how many jurors have voted one 

way or the other at that time.

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