Supreme Court of Florida

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No. SC17-583

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IN RE: STANDARD CRIMINAL JURY INSTRUCTIONS

IN CAPITAL CASES.

[May 24, 2018]

PER CURIAM.

Previously in this case, the Court authorized for publication and use on an 

interim basis, on its own motion, amended existing instructions 7.11 (Preliminary 

Instructions in Penalty Proceedings—Capital Cases) and 7.12 (Dialogue for 

Polling the Jury (Death Penalty Case)), and adopted new instructions 3.12(e) (Jury 

Verdict Form—Death Penalty) and 7.11(a) (Final Instructions in Penalty 

Proceedings—Capital Cases). In re Std. Crim. Jury Instrs. in Capital Cases, 214 

So. 3d 1236 (Fla. 2017).1

The need for the Court to authorize for publication and use revised and new 

capital case jury instructions arose from the decision in Hurst v. Florida, 136 S. Ct. 

 

1. We have jurisdiction. See art. V, § 2(a), Fla. Const.
- 2 -

616 (2016), wherein the United States Supreme Court held that a portion of 

Florida’s death penalty sentencing scheme was unconstitutional because a jury was 

not required to find the facts necessary to impose a sentence of death. See id. at 

619. Following remand from the Supreme Court, we held 

that in addition to unanimously finding the existence of any 

aggravating factor, the jury must also unanimously find that the 

aggravating factors are sufficient for the imposition of death and 

unanimously find that the aggravating factors outweigh the mitigation 

before a sentence of death may be considered by the judge.

Hurst v. State, 202 So. 3d 40, 54 (Fla. 2016), cert. denied, 137 S. Ct. 2161 (2017). 

We further held that a unanimous jury recommendation for death is required before 

a trial court may impose a sentence of death. Id. The changes to the standard 

criminal jury instructions were also warranted in light of chapter 2017-1, Laws of 

Florida, amending section 921.141, Florida Statutes (2016), which requires a jury 

to unanimously determine that a defendant should be sentenced to death.

Because the Court authorized the interim instructions on its own motion, we 

allowed sixty days in which the Supreme Court Committee on Standard Jury 

Instructions in Criminal Cases (Committee) and other interested persons could file 

comments. In re Std. Crim. Jury Instrs. in Capital Cases, 214 So. 3d at 1236-37,

1237 n.2. The Court received numerous comments and a response from the 

Committee proposing new amendments to the instructions and a response to the 

comments filed with the Court. Based upon the comments, the Committee’s 
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response and proposals, and having heard oral argument in this case, we now 

further amend the instructions. The more significant amendments to the interim 

instructions are discussed below.

First, instruction 3.12(e) (Jury Verdict Form—Death Penalty) is amended

under Section C to change the title from “Statutory Mitigating Circumstances” to 

“Mitigating Circumstances.” In addition, as amended, the verdict form under 

Section C no longer requires jurors to list the mitigating circumstances found or to 

provide the jury vote as to the existence of mitigating circumstances.

Next, with regard to instruction 7.11 (Preliminary Instructions in Penalty 

Proceedings—Capital Cases), we amend the interim instruction by renumbering it 

from 7.11 to 7.10; under “Give this instruction in all cases,” removing from the 

provision “(2) whether one or more aggravating factors exist beyond a reasonable 

doubt” because it is duplicative of “(1) whether each aggravating factor is proven 

beyond a reasonable doubt”; under “Aggravating Factors,” deleting the word 

“recommending” and replacing it with the phrase “a verdict of”; and adding 

“unanimously” to the sentence “In order to consider the death penalty as a possible 

penalty, you must determine that at least one aggravating factor has been proven 

beyond a reasonable doubt.”

We also amend instruction 7.11(a) (Final Instructions in Penalty 

Proceedings—Capital Cases) by renumbering it to 7.11. Within that instruction, 
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we add the following sentence pertaining to the weighing process: “The next step 

in the process is for each of you to determine whether the aggravating factor[s] that 

you have unanimously found to exist outweigh[s] the mitigating circumstance[s] 

that you have individually found to exist.” In addition, we delete the portion of 

instruction 7.11 that directs the jury to “weigh all of the following.”

Accordingly, we authorize the capital case jury instructions for publication 

and use as set forth in the appendix to this opinion.

2 New language is indicated by 

underlining; deleted language is indicated by struck-through type. In authorizing 

the publication and use of these instructions, we express no opinion on their

correctness and remind all interested parties that this authorization forecloses 

neither requesting additional or alternative instructions nor contesting the legal

correctness of these instructions. The instructions as set forth in the appendix shall 

become effective immediately upon the release of this opinion.

We also take this opportunity to thank the Supreme Court Committee on 

Standard Jury Instructions in Criminal Cases, the Florida Supreme Court’s 

 

2. The amendments as reflected in the appendix are to the Criminal Jury 

Instructions as they appear on the Court’s website at www.floridasupremecourt.org 

/jury_instructions/instructions.shtml. We recognize that there may be minor 

discrepancies between the instructions as they appear on the website and the 

published versions of the instructions. Any discrepancies as to instructions 

authorized for publication and use after October 25, 2007, should be resolved by 

reference to the published opinion of this Court authorizing the instruction.
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Criminal Steering Committee, the faculty of the Handling Capital Cases course, the 

Honorable James C. Hankinson, the Honorable James M. Colaw, the Florida 

Prosecuting Attorneys Association, the Florida Public Defender Association, the 

Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, the Florida Center for Capital 

Representation at Florida International University College of Law, and all other 

commenters, for their thoughtful consideration, recommendations, and insight in 

addressing the complicated issues presented by implementing the death penalty. 

This assistance has been invaluable to the Court’s modifications to the interim 

instructions.

It is so ordered.

LEWIS, CANADY, POLSTON, and LAWSON, JJ., concur.

PARIENTE, J., concurs in result with an opinion, in which LABARGA, C.J., and 

QUINCE, J., concur.

NOT FINAL UNTIL TIME EXPIRES TO FILE REHEARING MOTION AND, 

IF FILED, DETERMINED.

PARIENTE, J., concurring in result.

I concur with each part of the per curiam opinion except its decision to “no 

longer require[] jurors to list the mitigating circumstances found or to provide the 

jury vote as to the existence of mitigating circumstances” in instruction 3.12(e), 

Section C. Per curiam op. at 3. Of course, the per curiam does not preclude the 

use of special verdict forms that include all mitigating circumstances proposed 

with a place for the jury vote. See per curiam op. at 4 (stating that “all interested 
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parties” may “request[] additional or alternative instructions”). Therefore, I would 

strongly urge the trial courts, at the request of defendants, to utilize a verdict form 

that includes places for the jury’s findings on mitigating circumstances, especially 

in light of Hurst.

3

 

By including mitigating circumstances on the standard verdict form, this 

Court would enhance uniformity for jury findings as to mitigating circumstances. 

Nevertheless, when requested by the defendant, trial courts should follow the 

standard verdict form previously promulgated by this Court on an interim basis, 

which includes a list of mitigating circumstances proposed by the defendant and a 

place for the jury to indicate its vote for each mitigator. In re Std. Crim. Jury 

Instrs. in Capital Cases, 214 So. 3d 1236, 1239-40 (Fla. 2017). For reference, I 

include in this opinion the relevant language from that form. 

Federal Verdict Forms

Based on oral argument and the supplemental authority filed in this case, it 

is clear that at least some federal courts use special verdict forms that request the 

jury in capital cases to list the mitigating circumstances it found and to indicate the

jury’s vote as to whether each mitigating circumstance was proven.

4

 Reviewing 

 

3. Hurst v. State (Hurst), 202 So. 3d 40 (Fla. 2016), cert. denied, 137 S. Ct. 

2161 (2017).

4. See Notice of Supp. Auth. (Fla. Mar. 8, 2018); see also Standard Jury 

Instructions (8th Cir.) at 12.22, 
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the supplemental authority in this case—special verdict forms from federal capital 

prosecutions in Florida, one of which may be accessed here—demonstrates how 

these findings may be useful. Thus, requiring the jury to state its findings for each 

mitigating circumstance is consistent with the verdict forms employed by some

federal courts.

Florida Law in Light of Hurst

As the per curiam opinion explains, Florida’s capital sentencing scheme has 

substantially changed in light of the United States Supreme Court’s opinion in 

Hurst v. Florida, 136 S. Ct. 616 (2016), and our opinion on remand in Hurst. 

Hurst made clear that each of the jury’s findings, including mitigation, are 

constitutionally significant under the Sixth Amendment to the United States 

Constitution and article I, section 22, of the Florida Constitution. See Hurst, 202 

So. 3d at 44; see also per curiam op. at 2. Likewise, I have explained several times 

since Hurst that the penalty phase jury’s findings on mitigation are critical to the 

constitutional imposition of the death penalty, and this Court cannot speculate as to 

a jury’s findings of mitigation when reviewing a death sentence. See, e.g., Hannon 

v. State, 228 So. 3d 505, 514-19 (Fla.) (Pariente, J., dissenting), cert. denied, 138 

S. Ct. 441 (2017); Kaczmar v. State, 228 So. 3d 1, 16-17 (Fla. 2017) (Pariente, J., 

 

http://www.juryinstructions.ca8.uscourts.gov/sec12.pdf; id. at 12.10 (jury 

instructions stating that the special verdict form asks but does not require the jury 

“to identify any mitigating factors that any one [juror] finds has been proved”).
- 8 -

concurring in part and dissenting in part) (joined by Justice Quince), petition for 

cert. filed, No. 17-8148 (U.S. Mar. 14, 2018); see also Hurst, 202 So. 3d at 44. As 

I did even before Hurst, I now urge the Court, especially in light of Hurst, to fully 

correct our standard capital verdict form to ensure the constitutional imposition of 

death sentences in this State.5 

As I have explained, including the jury’s findings of aggravating factors and

mitigating circumstances “would both facilitate our proportionality review and 

satisfy the constitutional guarantee of trial by jury.” Lebron v. State, 982 So. 2d 

649, 671 (Fla. 2008) (Pariente, J., concurring); see Coday v. State, 946 So. 2d 988, 

1023-25 (Fla. 2006) (Pariente, J., concurring in part and dissenting in part). 

Likewise, specially concurring in Aguirre-Jarquin v. State, 9 So. 3d 593 (Fla. 

2009), joined by now-Chief Justice Labarga, I explained that some of the most 

experienced trial judges in our State use special verdict forms to avoid “the 

constitutional concerns with the inability to receive explicit jury findings,” id. at 

 

5. See, e.g., Aguirre-Jarquin v. State, 9 So. 3d 593, 611-13 (Fla. 2009) 

(Pariente, J., specially concurring); In re Std. Jury Instrs. in Crim. Cases—Report 

No. 2005-2, 22 So. 3d 17, 25-27 (Fla. 2009) (Pariente, J., specially concurring); 

Lebron v. State, 982 So. 2d 649, 671 (Fla. 2008) (Pariente, J., concurring);

Franklin v. State, 965 So. 2d 79, 104 (Fla. 2007) (Pariente, J., specially 

concurring); Coday v. State, 946 So. 2d 988, 1023-25 (Fla. 2006) (Pariente, J., 

concurring in part and dissenting in part); Huggins v. State, 889 So. 2d 743, 777 

(Fla. 2004) (Pariente, J., dissenting). 
- 9 -

611 (Pariente, J., specially concurring), and that “special verdict forms would assist 

in this Court’s review of death sentences.” Id. at 613.

Further, I explained in my specially concurring opinion in In re Standard 

Jury Instructions in Criminal Cases—Report No. 2005-2, 22 So. 3d 17 (Fla. 2009), 

joined by now-Chief Justice Labarga and former Justice Perry:

I also believe that this Court has missed an opportunity to 

further enhance the process of imposition of the death penalty by 

requiring the use of special verdict forms in the penalty phase so that 

the jury could have had the opportunity to record its findings on 

aggravators and mitigators—the essential ingredients in the ultimate 

decision of whether to impose the death penalty. As the Committee 

explained in its initial report, “the trial judge [presently] does not 

know how the jury considered the various aggravating and mitigating 

circumstances,” and it would be “most helpful to the trial judge [in 

preparing the sentencing order] to know how the jury viewed the 

evidence presented in the penalty phase,” for this would “provide 

valuable assistance in deciding the weight to be given to each 

circumstance.” (Emphasis added). . . .

. . . .

I continue to believe that this Court has the authority to require 

special interrogatories and since the Court does not believe that it has 

that authority, I urge, as did Justice Cantero before me, that there be 

changes to the death penalty statute to allow for the use of special 

verdict forms.

Id. at 24-27 (Pariente, J., specially concurring).

Thus, even though the majority of this Court does not adopt a standard 

verdict form requiring trial courts to list mitigating circumstances and asking the 

jury to indicate its findings as to mitigating circumstances, it also does not prevent 

these findings. Accordingly, when requested by the defendant, I urge the trial 
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courts to use verdict forms that include those findings. See majority op. at 3. In 

the interest of uniformity, I urge trial courts to use the following language, which 

this Court promulgated after Hurst:

6

Mitigating Circumstances:

We the jury find that (mitigating circumstance) was established by the 

greater weight of the evidence.

YES 

NO 

If you answered YES above, please provide the jury vote as to the 

existence of (mitigating circumstance).

VOTE OF ____ TO ____.

Repeat for each mitigating circumstance proposed by the defendant.

See In re Std. Crim. Jury Instrs. in Capital Cases, 214 So. 3d at 1239-40. 

CONCLUSION

For all of these reasons, I would include mitigating circumstances in the 

standard verdict form for the penalty phase of capital cases, including the jury’s 

vote as to each mitigating circumstance. Nevertheless, because the majority 

deletes these findings in the instructions approved today, I encourage defense

 

6. The verdict form promulgated by this Court in our prior opinion 

separated statutory and nonstatutory mitigating circumstances. See In re Std. Crim. 

Jury Instrs. in Capital Cases, 214 So. 3d at 1239-40. After considering the 

arguments in this case, I agree with the per curiam that this is no longer necessary 

and, therefore, have slightly revised the prior verdict form. Per Curiam op. at 3.
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counsel to request and the trial courts to approve, respectively, the inclusion of 

these findings on the verdict form. See per curiam op. at 4 (stating that “all 

interested parties” may “request[] additional or alternative instructions”).

LABARGA, C.J., and QUINCE, J., concur.

Original Proceeding – Supreme Court Committee on Standard Jury Instructions in 

Criminal Cases

Judge Debra Johnes Riva, Twelfth Judicial Circuit, Sarasota, Florida, and Judge 

James C. Hankinson on behalf of Handling Capital Cases Faculty, Tallahassee, 

Florida; Howard L. “Rex” Dimmig, II, Public Defender, and Peter Mills, Assistant 

Public Defender, Chair, Florida Public Defender Association Death Penalty 

Steering Committee, Tenth Judicial Circuit, Bartow, Florida; Karen M. Gottlieb on 

behalf of Florida Center for Capital Representation at FIU College of Law, Miami, 

Florida, and Billy H. Nolas, Chief, Capital Habeas Unit, Federal Public Defender, 

Northern District, Tallahassee, Florida, Sonya Rudenstine, Gainesville, Florida, 

Luke Newman, Tallahassee, Florida, and William R. Ponall of Ponall Law on 

behalf of Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, Maitland, Florida; 

Robert R. Berry, Tallahassee, Florida; Penny H. Brill, Assistant State Attorney, 

Eleventh Judicial Circuit, Miami, Florida, and Arthur I. Jacobs of Jacobs Scholz & 

Associates, LLC on behalf of Florida Prosecuting Attorneys Association,

Fernandina Beach, Florida; Judge F. Rand Wallis, Chair, and Judge James Colaw, 

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,

Responding with comments
- 12 -

APPENDIX

3.12(e) JURY VERDICT FORM—DEATH PENALTY

We the jury find as follows as to (Defendant) in this case:

A. Aggravating Factors as to Count ___:

We the jury unanimously find that the State has established beyond a 

reasonable doubt the existence of (aggravating factor).

YES _________

NO __________

Repeat this step for each statutory aggravating factor submitted to the jury.

If you answer YES to at least one of the aggravating factors listed, please 

proceed to Section B. If you answered NO to every aggravating factor listed, 

do not proceed to Section B; (Defendant) is not eligible for the death sentence 

and will be sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

B. Sufficiency of the Aggravating Factors as to Count ___:

Reviewing the aggravating factors that we unanimously found to be 

established beyond a reasonable doubt (Section A), we the jury 

unanimously find the aggravating factors are sufficient to warrant a 

possible sentence of death.

YES _________

NO __________

If you answer YES to Section B, please proceed to Section C. If you answer 

NO to Section B, do not proceed to Section C; (Defendant) will be sentenced to 

life in prison without the possibility of parole.

C. Statutory Mitigating Circumstances:

We the juryOne or more individual jurors find that (statutoryone or 

more mitigating circumstances) was established by the greater weight 

of the evidence.

YES _________

NO __________
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If you answered YES above, please provide the jury vote as to the 

existence of (statutory mitigating circumstance).

VOTE OF ____ TO ____.

Repeat for each statutory mitigating circumstance.

Please proceed to Section D, regardless of your findings in Section C.

D. Eligibility for the Death Penalty for Count ___.

We the jury unanimously find that the aggravating factors that were 

proven beyond a reasonable doubt (Section A) outweigh the 

mitigating circumstances established (Section C above) as to Count 

___.

YES _________

NO __________

If you answered YES to Section D, please proceed to Section E. If you 

answered NO to Section D, do not proceed; (Defendant) will be sentenced to 

life in prison without the possibility of parole.

E. Jury Verdict as to Death Penalty

Having unanimously found that at least one aggravating factor has 

been established beyond a reasonable doubt (Section A), that the 

aggravating [factor] [factors] [is] [are] sufficient to warrant a sentence 

of death (Section B), and the aggravating [factor] [factors] outweigh 

the mitigating circumstances (Section D), we the jury unanimously 

find that (Defendant) should be sentenced to death.

 YES __________

 NO ___________

If NO, our vote to impose a sentence of life is _____ to _____.

If your vote to impose death is less than unanimous, the trial court shall 

impose a sentence of life without the possibility of parole. 
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Dated this __________ day of _________, 20__, in ______ County, Florida.

______________________________________________

(Signature of foreperson) / Juror identification number

Comment

This instruction was adopted in 2017 [214 So. 3d 1236] and amended in 2018.

7.110 PRELIMINARY INSTRUCTIONS IN PENALTY PROCEEDINGS —

CAPITAL CASES

§ 921.141, Fla. Stat.

The instruction is designed for first degree murders committed after May 24, 

1994, when the Legislature omitted the possibility of parole for anyone convicted 

of First Degree Murder. For first degree murders committed before May 25, 1994, 

this instruction will have to be modified.

This instruction is to be given immediately before the opening statements in 

the penalty phase of a death penalty case.

Give 1a at the beginning of penalty proceedings before a jury that did not 

try the issue of guilt. Give bracketed language if the case has been remanded for a 

new penalty proceeding. See Hitchcock v. State, 673 So. 2d 859 (Fla. 1996). In 

addition, give the jury other appropriate general instructions.

1. a. Members of the jury, the defendant has been found guilty of

____ count[s] of Murder in the First Degree in a previous 

proceeding. The only issue before you is to determine the 

appropriate sentence. The punishment for this crime is either life 

imprisonment without the possibility of parole or death.

Give 1b at the beginning of penalty proceedings before the jury that found 

the defendant guilty.

b. Members of the jury, you have found the defendant guilty 

of _____ count[s] of Murder in the First Degree. The punishment 

for this crime is either life imprisonment without the possibility of 

parole or death.
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For murders committed before May 25, 1994, the following paragraph

should be modified to comply with the statute in effect at the time the crime was 

committed. If the jury inquires whether the defendant will receive credit for time 

served against a sentence of life without possibility of parole for 25 years, the 

court should instruct that the defendant will receive credit for all time served but 

that there is no guarantee the defendant will be granted parole either upon serving 

25 years or subsequently. See Green v. State, 907 So. 2d 489, 496 (Fla. 2005).

2. The punishment for this crime is either life imprisonment 

without the possibility of parole or death.

Give this instruction in all cases.

The attorneys will now have an opportunity, if they wish, to make an 

opening statement. The opening statement gives the attorneys a chance to tell 

you what evidence they believe will be presented during the penalty phase of 

this trial. What the lawyers say during opening statements is not evidence, 

and you are not to consider it as such. After the attorneys have had the 

opportunity to present their opening statements, the State and the defendant 

may present evidence relative to the nature of the crime and the defendant’s 

character, background, or life. You are instructed that this evidence [, along 

with the evidence that you heard during the guilt phase of this trial,] is 

presented in order for you to determine, as you will be instructed, (1) whether 

each aggravating factor is proven beyond a reasonable doubt; (2) whether one 

or more aggravating factors exist beyond a reasonable doubt; (3) whether the 

aggravating factors found to exist beyond a reasonable doubt are sufficient to 

justify the imposition of the death penalty; (43) whether mitigating 

circumstances are proven by the greater weight of the evidence; (54) whether 

the aggravating factors outweigh the mitigating circumstances; and (65) 

whether the defendant should be sentenced to life imprisonment without the 

possibility of parole or death. At the conclusion of the evidence and after 

argument of counsel, you will be instructed on the law that will guide your 

deliberations.

Aggravating Factors:

An aggravating factor is a standard to guide the jury in making the 

choice between recommendinga verdict of life imprisonment without the 

possibility of parole or death. It is a statutorily enumerated circumstance that 

increases the gravity of a crime or the harm to a victim.

You must unanimously agree that each aggravating factor was proven 

beyond a reasonable doubt before it may be considered by you in arriving at 
- 16 -

your final verdict. In order to consider the death penalty as a possible 

penalty, you must unanimously determine that at least one aggravating factor 

has been proven beyond a reasonable doubt. 

The State has the burden to prove each aggravating factor beyond a 

reasonable doubt. A reasonable doubt is not a mere possible doubt, a 

speculative, imaginary, or forced doubt. Such a doubt must not influence you 

to disregard an aggravating factor if you have an abiding conviction that it 

exists. On the other hand, if, after carefully considering, comparing, and 

weighing all the evidence, you do not have an abiding conviction that the 

aggravating factor exists, or if, having a conviction, it is one which is not 

stable but one which wavers and vacillates, then the aggravating factor has 

not been proved beyond everya reasonable doubt and you must not consider it 

in providing your verdict on the appropriate sentence to the court. 

A reasonable doubt as to the existence of an aggravating factor may 

arise from the evidence, conflicts in the evidence, or the lack of evidence. If 

you have a reasonable doubt as to the existence of an aggravating factor, you 

must find that it does not exist. However, if you have no reasonable doubt, 

you should find that the aggravating factor does exist.

Before moving on to the mitigating circumstances, you must determine 

that the aggravating factor[s] [is] [are] sufficient to impose a sentence of 

death. If you do not unanimously agree that the aggravating factor[s] [is] 

[are] sufficient to impose death, do not move on to consider the mitigating 

circumstances.

Mitigating Circumstances:

Should you find sufficient aggravating factors do exist to justify 

recommending the imposition of the death penalty, it will then be your duty to 

determine whether the aggravating factors that you unanimously find to have 

been proven beyond a reasonable doubt outweigh the mitigating 

circumstances that you find to have been established. Unlike aggravating 

factors, you do not need to unanimously agree that a mitigating circumstance 

has been established. Rather, whether a mitigating circumstance has been 

established is an individual judgment by each juror.

A mitigating circumstance is not limited to the facts surrounding the 

crime. It can be anything in the life of the defendant which might indicate 

that the death penalty is not appropriate for the defendant. In other words, a 
- 17 -

mitigating circumstance may include any aspect of the defendant’s character, 

background, or life or any circumstance of the offense that reasonably may 

indicate that the death penalty is not an appropriate sentence in this case. 

A mitigating circumstance need not be proven beyond a reasonable 

doubt by the defendant. A mitigating circumstance need only be proven by 

the greater weight of the evidence, which means evidence that more likely 

than not tends to prove the existence of a mitigating circumstance. If you 

determine by the greater weight of the evidence that a mitigating 

circumstance exists, you may consider it established and give that evidence 

such weight as you determine it should receive in reaching your conclusion as 

to the sentence to be imposed.

Comments

The court may instruct jurors regarding victim impact evidence or other

sections of the final instructions (#7.11) as part of the preliminary instruction.

This instruction was adopted in 1981 and amended in 1985 [477 So. 2d 985], 

1989 [543 So. 2d 1205], 1991 [579 So. 2d 75], 1992 [603 So. 2d 1175], 1994 [639 

So. 2d 602], 1995 [665 So. 2d 212], 1996 [678 So. 2d 1224], 1997 [690 So. 2d 

1263], 1998 [723 So. 2d 123], 2009 [22 So. 3d 17], 2014 [146 So. 3d 1110], and

2017 [214 So. 3d 1236], and 2018.

7.11(a) FINAL INSTRUCTIONS IN PENALTY PROCEEDINGS —

CAPITAL CASES

§ 921.141, Fla. Stat.

This instruction should be given after the closing arguments in the penalty 

phase of a death penalty trial. The instruction is designed for first degree murders 

committed after May 24, 1994, when the Legislature omitted the possibility of 

parole for anyone convicted of First Degree Murder. For first degree murders 

committed before May 25, 1994, this instruction will have to be modified.

Members of the jury, you have heard all the evidence and the argument 

of counsel. It is now your duty to make a decision as to the appropriate 

sentence that should be imposed upon the defendant for the crime of First 

Degree Murder. There are two possible punishments: (1) life imprisonment 

without the possibility of parole, or (2) death.
- 18 -

In making your decision, you must first unanimously determine 

whether the aggravating factor[s] alleged by the State [has] [have] been 

proven beyond a reasonable doubt. An aggravating factor is a circumstance 

that increases the gravity of a crime or the harm to a victim. No facts other 

than proven aggravating factors may be considered in support of a death 

sentence. 

Aggravating factors. § 921.141(6), Fla. Stat.

The aggravating factor[s] alleged by the State [is] [are]:

Give only those aggravating factors noticed by the State which are 

supported by the evidence.

1. (Defendant) was previously convicted of a felony and [under 

sentence of imprisonment] [on community control] [on felony 

probation].

2. (Defendant) was previously convicted of [another capital felony] [a 

felony involving the [use] [threat] of violence to another person].

Give 2a or 2b as applicable.

a. The crime of (previous crime) is a capital felony.

b. The crime of (previous crime) is a felony involving the [use] 

[threat] of violence to another person.

3. (Defendant) knowingly created a great risk of death to many 

persons.

4. The First Degree Murder was committed while (defendant) was

[engaged] [an accomplice] in [the commission of] [an attempt to 

commit] [flight after committing or attempting to commit]

any

Check § 921.141(6)(d), Fla. Stat., for any change in list of offenses.

[robbery].

[sexual battery].

[aggravated child abuse].

[abuse of an elderly person or disabled adult resulting in great bodily 

harm, permanent disability, or permanent disfigurement].
- 19 -

[arson].

[burglary].

[kidnapping].

[aircraft piracy].

[unlawful throwing, placing or discharging of a destructive device or 

bomb].

Check § 921.141(6)(d), Fla. Stat., for any change in list of offenses.

5. The First Degree Murder was committed for the purpose of 

avoiding or preventing a lawful arrest or effecting an escape from 

custody.

6. The First Degree Murder was committed for financial gain.

7. The First Degree Murder was committed to disrupt or hinder the 

lawful exercise of any governmental function or the enforcement of 

laws.

8. The First Degree Murder was especially heinous, atrocious or 

cruel. 

“Heinous” means extremely wicked or shockingly evil.

“Atrocious” means outrageously wicked and vile. 

“Cruel” means designed to inflict a high degree of pain with utter 

indifference to, or even enjoyment of, the suffering of others. 

The kind of crime intended to be included as especially heinous, 

atrocious, or cruel is one accompanied by additional acts that 

show that the crime was conscienceless or pitiless and was 

unnecessarily torturous to (decedent).

9. The First Degree Murder was committed in a cold, calculated, 

and premeditated manner, without any pretense of moral or legal 

justification.

“Cold” means the murder was the product of calm and cool 

reflection.
- 20 -

“Calculated” means having a careful plan or prearranged design 

to commit murder.

A killing is “premeditated” if it occurs after the defendant 

consciously decides to kill. 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.

However, in order for this aggravating factor to apply, a 

heightened level of premeditation, demonstrated by a substantial 

period of reflection, is required.

A “pretense of moral or legal justification” is any claim of 

justification or excuse that, though insufficient to reduce the 

degree of murder, nevertheless rebuts the otherwise cold, 

calculated, or premeditated nature of the murder.

10. (Decedent) was a law enforcement officer engaged in the 

performance of [his] [her] official duties.

11. (Decedent) was an elected or appointed public official engaged in 

the performance of [his] [her] official duties, if the motive for the First 

Degree Murder was related, in whole or in part, to (decedent’s) official 

capacity.

12. (Decedent) was a person less than 12 years of age.

13. (Decedent) was particularly vulnerable due to advanced age or 

disability, or because (defendant) stood in a position of familial or 

custodial authority over (decedent).

With the following aggravating factor, definitions as appropriate from 

§ 874.03, Fla. Stat., must be given.

14. The First Degree Murder was committed by a criminal street 

gang member.
- 21 -

15. The First Degree Murder was committed by a person designated 

as a sexual predator or a person previously designated as a sexual 

predator who had the sexual predator designation removed.

16. The First Degree Murder was committed by a person subject to

 

 [a domestic violence injunction issued by a Florida judge], 

[a [repeat] [sexual] [dating] violence injunction issued by a

Florida judge], 

[a protection order issued from [another state] [the District of 

Columbia] [an Indian tribe] [a commonwealth, territory, or 

possession of the United States]], 

 and 

 

the victim of the First Degree Murder was [the person] [a [spouse] 

[child] [sibling] [parent] of the person] who obtained the 

[injunction] [protective order]. 

Merging aggravating factors. Give the following paragraph if applicable. 

For example, the aggravating circumstances that 1) the murder was committed 

during the course of a robbery and 2) the murder was committed for financial 

gain, relate to the same aspect of the offense and may be considered as only a 

single aggravating circumstance. Castro v. State, 597 So. 2d 259 (Fla. 1992). 

Pursuant to Florida law, the aggravating factors of (insert aggravating 

factor) and (insert aggravating factor) are considered to merge because they are 

considered to be a single aspect of the offense. If you unanimously determine 

that the aggravating factors of (insert aggravating factor) and (insert 

aggravating factor) have both been proven beyond a reasonable doubt, your 

findings should indicate that both aggravating factors exist, but you must 

consider them as only one aggravating factor.

Victim-impact evidence. Give if applicable. Also, give at the time victim 

impact evidence is admitted, if requested. 

You have heard evidence about the impact of this murder on the 

[family] [friends] [community] of (decedent). This evidence was presented to 

show the victim’s uniqueness as an individual and the resultant loss by

(decedent’s) death. However, you may not consider this evidence as an 

aggravating factor.
- 22 -

Give in all cases.

As explained before the presentation of evidence, the State has the 

burden to prove an aggravating factor beyond a reasonable doubt. A 

reasonable doubt is not a mere possible doubt, a speculative, imaginary, or 

forced doubt. Such a doubt must not influence you to disregard an 

aggravating factor if you have an abiding conviction that it exists. On the 

other hand, if, after carefully considering, comparing, and weighing all the 

evidence, you do not have an abiding conviction that the aggravating factor 

exists, or if, having a conviction, it is one which is not stable but one which 

waivers and vacillates, then the aggravating factor has not been proved 

beyond everya reasonable doubt and you must not consider it in providing a 

verdict. 

A reasonable doubt as to the existence of an aggravating factor may 

arise from the evidence, a conflict in the evidence, or the lack of evidence. If 

you have a reasonable doubt as to the existence of an aggravating factor, you 

must find that it does not exist. However, if you have no reasonable doubt, you 

should find the aggravating factor does exist. 

A finding that an aggravating factor exists must be unanimous, that is, 

all of you must agree that [the] [each] presented aggravating factor exists. You 

will be provided a form to make this finding [as to each alleged aggravating 

factor] and you should indicate whether or not you find [the] [each] 

aggravating factor has been proven beyond a reasonable doubt.

If you do not unanimously find that at least one aggravating factor was 

proven by the State beyond a reasonable doubt, then the defendant is not 

eligible for the death penalty, and your verdict must be for a sentence of life 

imprisonment without the possibility for parole. At such point, your 

deliberations are complete.

If, however, you unanimously find that [one or more] [the] aggravating 

factor[s] [has] [have] been proven beyond a reasonable doubt, then the 

defendant is eligible for the death penalty, and you must make additional 

findings to determine whether the appropriate sentence to be imposed is life 

imprisonment without the possibility of parole or death.

Mitigating circumstances. § 921.141(7), Fla. Stat.

If you do unanimously find the existence of at least one aggravating 

factor and that the aggravating factor[(s)] [is] [are] sufficient to impose a 
- 23 -

sentence of death, the next step in the process is for you to determine whether 

any mitigating circumstances exist. A mitigating circumstance is anything that 

supports a sentence of life imprisonment without the possibility of parole, and

can be anything in the life of the defendant which might indicate that the 

death penalty is not appropriate. It is not limited to the facts surrounding the 

crime. A mitigating circumstance may include any aspect of the defendant’s 

character, background, or life or any circumstance of the offense that may 

reasonably indicate that the death penalty is not an appropriate sentence in 

this case.

It is the defendant’s burden to prove that one or more mitigating 

circumstances exist. Mitigating circumstances do not need to be proven 

beyond a reasonable doubt. Instead, the defendant need only establish a 

mitigating circumstance by the greater weight of the evidence, which means 

evidence that more likely than not tends to establish the existence of a 

mitigating circumstance. If you determine by the greater weight of the 

evidence that a mitigating circumstance exists, you must consider it 

established and give that evidence such weight as you determine it should 

receive in reaching your verdict about the appropriate sentence to be 

imposed. Any juror persuaded as to the existence of a mitigating circumstance

must consider it in this case.

Among the mitigating circumstances you may consider are:

Give only those mitigating circumstances for which evidence has been 

presented.

1. (Defendant) has no significant history of prior criminal activity.

If the defendant offers evidence on this circumstance and the State, in 

rebuttal, offers evidence of other crimes, also give the following:

Conviction of (previous crime) is not an aggravating factor to be 

considered in determining the penalty to be imposed on the defendant, but a 

conviction of that crime may be considered by the jury in determining 

whether the defendant has a significant history of prior criminal activity.

2. The First Degree Murder was committed while (defendant) was 

under the influence of extreme mental or emotional disturbance.

3. (Decedent) was a participant in (defendant’s) conduct or consented 

to the act.
- 24 -

4. (Defendant) was an accomplice in the First Degree Murder 

committed by another person and [his] [her] participation was 

relatively minor.

5. (Defendant) acted under extreme duress or under the substantial 

domination of another person.

6. The capacity of (defendant) to appreciate the criminality of [his] 

[her] conduct or to conform [his] [her] conduct to the requirements of 

law was substantially impaired.

7. (Defendant’s) age at the time of the crime.

The judge should also instruct on any additional mitigating circumstances 

as requested. 

8. The existence of any other factors in (defendant’s) character, 

background, or life or the circumstances of the offense that would 

mitigate against the imposition of the death penalty.

It is the defendant’s burden to prove that mitigating circumstances 

exist. As explained before these proceedings, the defendant need only establish 

a mitigating circumstance by the greater weight of the evidence, which means 

evidence that more likely than not tends to establish the existence of a 

mitigating circumstance. If you determine by the greater weight of the 

evidence that a mitigating circumstance exists, you must consider it 

established and give that evidence such weight as you determine it should 

receive in reaching your verdict about the appropriate sentence to be 

imposed. Any juror persuaded as to the existence of a mitigating circumstance 

must consider it in this case. Further, any juror may consider a mitigating 

circumstance found by another juror, even if he or she did not find that factor 

to be mitigating.

Your decision regarding the appropriate sentence should be based upon 

proven aggravating factors and established mitigating circumstances that 

have been presented to you during these proceedings. You will now engage in

a weighing process.

Merging aggravating factors. Give the following paragraph if applicable. 

For example, the aggravating circumstances that 1) the murder was committed 

during the course of a robbery and 2) the murder was committed for financial 
- 25 -

gain, relate to the same aspect of the offense and may be considered as only a 

single aggravating circumstance. Castro v. State, 597 So. 2d 259 (Fla. 1992). 

Pursuant to Florida law, the aggravating factors of (insert aggravating 

factor) and (insert aggravating factor) are considered to merge because they are 

considered to be a single aspect of the offense. If you unanimously determine 

that the aggravating factors of (insert aggravating factor) and (insert 

aggravating factor) have both been proven beyond a reasonable doubt, your 

findings should indicate that both aggravating factors exist, but you must 

consider them as only one aggravating factor during the weighing process that 

I am about to explain to you.

You must weigh all of the following:

a. Whether the aggravating factor[s] found to exist [is] [are] sufficient

to justify the death penalty,

b. Whether the aggravating factor[s] outweigh[s] any mitigating

circumstance[s] found to exist, and

c. Based on all of the considerations pursuant to these instructions,

whether the defendant should be sentenced to life imprisonment 

without the possibility of parole or death.

The next step in the process is for each of you to determine whether the 

aggravating factor[s] that you have unanimously found to exist outweigh[s] 

the mitigating circumstance[s] that you have individually found to exist. The 

process of weighing aggravating factors and mitigating circumstances is not a 

mechanical or mathematical process. In other words, you should not merely 

total the number of aggravating factors and compare that number to the total 

number of mitigating circumstances. The law contemplates that different 

factors or circumstances may be given different weight or values by different

jurors. Therefore, in your decision-making process, each individual juror 

must decide what weight is to be given to a particular factor or circumstance. 

Regardless of the results of each juror’s individual weighing process—even if 

you find that the sufficient aggravators outweigh the mitigators—the law 

neither compels nor requires you to determine that the defendant should be 

sentenced to death. 

Once each juror has weighed the proven factors, he or she must 

determine the appropriate punishment for the defendant. The jury’s decision 

regarding the appropriate sentence must be unanimous if death is to be 

imposed. To repeat what I have said, if your verdict is that the defendant 

should be sentenced to death, your finding that each aggravating factor exists 
- 26 -

must be unanimous, your finding that the aggravating factors are sufficient to 

impose death must be unanimous, and your finding that the aggravating 

factor[(s)] found to exist outweigh the established mitigating circumstances 

must be unanimous, and your decision if to impose a sentence of death must 

be unanimous. 

You will be provided a form to reflect your findings and decision 

regarding the appropriate sentence. If your vote on the appropriate sentence 

is less than unanimous, the defendant will be sentenced to life in prison 

without the possibility of parole.

The fact that the jury can make its decision on a single ballot should not 

influence you to act hastily or without due regard to the gravity of these 

proceedings. Before you vote, you should carefully consider and weigh the 

evidence, realizing that a human life is at stake, and bring your best judgment 

to bear in reaching your verdict.

Weighing the evidence.

When considering aggravating factors and mitigating circumstances, it 

is up to you to decide which evidence is reliable. You should use your common 

sense in deciding which is the best evidence and which evidence should not be 

relied upon in making your decision as to what sentence should be imposed. 

You may find some of the evidence not reliable, or less reliable than other 

evidence.

You should consider how the witnesses acted, as well as what they said. 

Some things you should consider are:

1. Did the witness seem to have an opportunity to see and know the

 things about which the witness testified?

2. Did the witness seem to have an accurate memory?

3. Was the witness honest and straightforward in answering the

 attorneys’ questions?

4. Did the witness have some interest in how the case should be

 decided?
- 27 -

5. Did the witness’s testimony agree with the other testimony and

 other evidence in the case?

Give as applicable.

6. Had the witness been offered or received any money, preferred

 treatment or other benefit in order to get the witness to testify?

7. Had any pressure or threat been used against the witness that

 affected the truth of the witness’s testimony?

8. Did the witness at some other time make a statement that is 

 inconsistent with the testimony he or she gave in court?

9. Has the witness been convicted of a felony or of a misdemeanor

 involving [dishonesty] [false statement]?

10. Does the witness have a general reputation for [dishonesty]

 [truthfulness]?

Law enforcement witness.

The fact that a witness is employed in law enforcement does not mean 

that [his] [her] testimony deserves more or less consideration than that of any 

other witness. 

Expert witnesses.

Expert witnesses are like other witnesses with one exception—the law 

permits an expert witness to give an opinion. However, an expert’s opinion is 

only reliable when given on a subject about which you believe that person to 

be an expert. Like other witnesses, you may believe or disbelieve all or any 

part of an expert’s testimony.
- 28 -

Accomplices and Informants.

You must consider the testimony of some witnesses with more caution 

than others. For example, a witness who [claims to have helped the defendant 

commit a crime] [has been promised immunity from prosecution] [hopes to 

gain more favorable treatment in his or her own case] may have a reason to 

make a false statement in order to strike a good bargain with the State. This is 

particularly true when there is no other evidence tending to agree with what 

the witness says about the defendant. So, while a witness of that kind may be 

entirely truthful when testifying, you should consider [his] [her] testimony 

with more caution than the testimony of other witnesses. 

Child witness.

You have heard the testimony of a child. No witness is disqualified just 

because of age. There is no precise age that determines whether a witness may 

testify. The critical consideration is not the witness’s age, but whether the 

witness understands the difference between what is true and what is not true, 

and understands the duty to tell the truth.

Give only if the defendant testified.

The defendant in this case has become a witness. You should apply the 

same rules to consideration of [his] [her] testimony that you apply to the 

testimony of the other witnesses.

Witness talked to lawyer.

It is entirely proper for a lawyer to talk to a witness about what 

testimony the witness would give if called to the courtroom. The witness 

should not be discredited by talking to a lawyer about [his] [her] testimony.

Give in all cases.

You may rely upon your own conclusion about the credibility of any 

witness. A juror may believe or disbelieve all or any part of the evidence or 

the testimony of any witness.

Give only if the defendant did not testify.

The defendant exercised a fundamental right by choosing not to be a 

witness in this case. You must not be influenced in any way by [his] [her] 

decision. No juror should ever be concerned that the defendant did or did not 

take the witness stand to give testimony in the case.
- 29 -

Rules for deliberation.

These are some general rules that apply to your discussions. You must 

follow these rules in order to make a lawful decision. 

1. You must follow the law as it is set out in these instructions. If you 

fail to follow the law, your decisions will be a miscarriage of justice. 

There is no reason for failing to follow the law in this case. All of us are 

depending upon you to make wise and legal decisions in this matter.

2. Your decisions must be based only upon the evidence that you 

have heard from the testimony of the witnesses, [have seen in the form 

of the exhibits in evidence,] and these instructions.

3. Your decisions must not be based upon the fact that you feel sorry

for anyone or are angry at anyone.

4. Remember, the lawyers are not on trial. Your feelings about them

should not influence your decisions.

Give #5 if applicable. 

5. The jury is not to discuss any question[s] that [a juror] [jurors]

wrote that [was] [were] not asked by the Court, and must not hold that 

against either party.

6. Your decisions should not be influenced by feelings of prejudice

or racial or ethnic bias, or sympathy. Your decisions must be based on 

the evidence and the law contained in these instructions.

Victim-impact evidence. 

You have heard evidence about the impact of this murder on the 

[family] [friends] [community] of (decedent). This evidence was presented to 

show the victim’s uniqueness as an individual and the resultant loss by

(decedent’s) death. However, you may not consider this evidence as an 

aggravating factor. Your decisions must be based on the aggravating factor[s], 

the mitigating circumstance[s], and the weighing process upon which you have 

been instructed.

Submitting case to jurors. 

In just a few moments you will be taken to the jury room by the [court 

deputy] [bailiff]. When you have reached decisions in conformity with these 
- 30 -

instructions, the appropriate form[s] should be signed and dated by your 

foreperson. 

During deliberations, jurors must communicate about the case only 

with one another and only when all jurors are present in the jury room. You 

are not to communicate with any person outside the jury about this case, and 

you must not talk about this case in person or through the telephone, writing, 

or electronic communication, such as a blog, Twitter, e-mail, text message, or 

any other means. 

Give if judge has allowed jurors to keep their electronic devices during the 

penalty phase.

Many of you may have cell phones, tablets, laptops, or other electronic 

devices here in the courtroom. The rules do not allow you to bring your 

phones or any of those types of electronic devices into the jury room. Kindly 

leave those devices on your seats where they will be guarded by the [court 

deputy] [bailiff] while you deliberate. 

Do not contact anyone to assist you during deliberations. These 

communications rules apply until I discharge you at the end of the case. If 

you become aware of any violation of these instructions or any other 

instruction I have given in this case, you must tell me by giving a note to the 

[court deputy] [bailiff].

Give if applicable.

During this trial, [an item] [items] [was] [were] received into evidence as 

[an] exhibit[s]. You may examine whatever exhibit[s] you think will help you 

in your deliberations. 

Give a or b as appropriate.

a. The[se] exhibit[s] will be sent into the jury room with you 

when you begin to deliberate.

b. If you wish to see an[y] exhibit[s], please request that in 

writing.

I cannot participate in your deliberations in any way. Please disregard 

anything I may have said or done that made you think I preferred one 

decision over another. If you need to communicate with me, send a note 

through the [court deputy] [bailiff], signed by the foreperson. If you have 
- 31 -

questions, I will talk with the attorneys before I answer, so it may take some 

time. You may continue your deliberations while you wait for my answer. I 

will answer any questions, if I can, in writing or orally here in open court.

In closing, let me remind you that it is important that you follow the law 

spelled out in these instructions. There are no other laws that apply to this 

case. Even if you do not like the laws that must be applied, you must use them. 

For more than two centuries we have lived by the constitution and the law. No 

juror has the right to violate rules we all share.

Comment

This instruction was adopted in 2017 [214 So. 3d 1236] and amended in 

2018.

7.12 DIALOGUE FOR POLLING THE JURY (DEATH PENALTY CASE)

Members of the jury, we are going to ask each of you individually about 

the verdict[s] that you have just heard. The question[s] pertain to whether the 

verdict[s], as read by the clerk, [was] [were] correctly stated.

The following question is to be asked of each juror if the verdict is for the 

death penalty:

Do you, [((name of juror))] [juror number (number of juror))], agree that each 

of the findings in the verdict form is yours?

The following question is to be asked of each juror if the verdict is for a life 

sentence:

Do you, [((name of juror))] [juror number (number of juror))], agree that at 

least one member of the jury voted for a sentence of life imprisonment without 

the possibility of parole?

Comment

This instruction was adopted in 1981 and was amended in 1997, and 2017

[214 So. 3d 1236], and 2018.