Title: In Re: Standard Jury Instructions in Criminal Cases - Report 2019-08
Citation: N/A
Docket Number: SC19-1654
State: Florida
Issuer: Florida Supreme Court
Date: January 16, 2020

Supreme Court of Florida 
 
 
____________ 
 
No. SC19-1654 
____________ 
 
 
IN RE:  STANDARD JURY INSTRUCTIONS IN CRIMINAL CASES—
REPORT 2019-08. 
 
January 16, 2020 
 
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 proposes amending standard criminal jury instructions 8.6 
(Stalking), 8.7(a) (Aggravated Stalking), 8.7(b) (Aggravated Stalking (Injunction 
Entered)), 8.7(c) (Aggravated Stalking (Victim under 16 years of age)), and 8.7(d) 
(Aggravated Stalking (Defendant previously sentenced for sex offense and was 
prohibited from contacting victim)).  The Committee filed its report after 
publishing the proposals in The Florida Bar News.  No comments were received 
by the Committee. 
 
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Having considered the Committee’s report, we amend the standard jury 
instructions as proposed by the Committee and authorize them for publication and 
use.  All of the instructions are updated to include the amended definition for 
“cyberstalk” based upon chapter 2019-167, section 31, Laws of Florida, which 
amended section 784.048(1)(d), Florida Statutes (2019).  In addition, instruction 
8.7(b) is amended to move the citation to Seese v. State, 955 So. 2d 1145 (Fla. 4th 
DCA 2007), from the comment section to above the definition for “maliciously.”  
Finally, in instruction 8.7(d), the citation to Seese and the definition for 
“maliciously” are added. 
The amended criminal jury instructions, as set forth in the appendix to this 
opinion, are hereby authorized for publication and use.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 
                                          
 
 
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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publication and use of these instructions, we express no opinion on their 
correctness and remind all interested parties that this authorization forecloses 
neither requesting additional or alternative instructions nor contesting the legal 
correctness of the instructions.  The instructions as set forth in the appendix shall 
become effective when this opinion becomes final. 
 
It is so ordered. 
CANADY, C.J., and POLSTON, LABARGA, LAWSON, and MUÑIZ, 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 
8.6 STALKING 
§ 784.048(2), Fla. Stat. 
 
To prove the crime of Stalking, the State must prove the following 
element beyond a reasonable doubt: 
 
(Defendant) willfully, maliciously, and repeatedly [followed] [harassed] 
[or] [cyberstalked] (victim). 
 
Definitions. 
§ 784.048(1)(a), Fla. Stat. 
“Harass” means to engage in a course of conduct directed at a specific 
person which causes substantial emotional distress to that person and serves 
no legitimate purpose. 
 
§ 784.048(1)(b), Fla. Stat. 
“Course of conduct” means a pattern of conduct composed of a series of 
acts over a period of time, however short, which evidences a continuity of 
purpose. The term does not include constitutionally protected activity such as 
picketing or other organized protests.   
 
Patterson v. State, 512 So. 2d 1109 (Fla. 1st DCA 1987).  
“Willfully” means knowingly, intentionally and purposely. 
 
Give if applicable.  
§ 784.048(1)(d), Fla. Stat.  
 
“Cyberstalk” means [to engage in a course of conduct to communicate, 
or to cause to be communicated, words, images, or language by or through the 
use of electronic mail or electronic communication, directed at a specific 
person,] [or] [to access or attempt to access the online accounts or Internet-
connected home electronic systems of another person without that person’s 
permission,] causing substantial emotional distress to that person and serving 
no legitimate purpose.  
 
Lesser Included Offenses 
 
STALKING — 784.048(2) 
CATEGORY ONE 
CATEGORY TWO 
FLA. STAT. 
INS. NO. 
 
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None 
 
 
 
 
Attempt 
777.04(1) 
5.1 
 
Comment 
 
 
This instruction was approved in 1995 [657 So. 2d 1152] and amended in 
2007 [953 So. 2d 495], and 2013 [131 So. 3d 755], and 2020. 
 
 
 
8.7(a) AGGRAVATED STALKING 
§ 784.048(3), Fla. Stat. 
 
To prove the crime of Aggravated Stalking, the State must prove the 
following two elements beyond a reasonable doubt: 
 
1. (Defendant) willfully, maliciously, and repeatedly [followed] 
[harassed] [or] [cyberstalked] (victim); and 
 
2. (Defendant) made a credible threat to (victim).  
 
 
Definitions. 
§ 784.048(1)(a), Fla. Stat. 
“Harass” means to engage in a course of conduct directed at a specific 
person which causes substantial emotional distress to that person and serves 
no legitimate purpose.  
 
§ 784.048(1)(b), Fla. Stat. 
“Course of conduct” means a pattern of conduct composed of a series of 
acts over a period of time, however short, which evidences a continuity of 
purpose. The term does not include constitutionally protected activity such as 
picketing or other organized protests. 
 
Patterson v. State, 512 So. 2d 1109 (Fla. 1st DCA 1987).  
“Willfully” means knowingly, intentionally and purposely. 
 
Give if applicable.  
§ 784.048(1)(d), Fla. Stat.  
 
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“Cyberstalk” means [to engage in a course of conduct to communicate, 
or to cause to be communicated, words, images, or language by or through the 
use of electronic mail or electronic communication, directed at a specific 
person,] [or] [to access or attempt to access the online accounts or Internet-
connected home electronic systems of another person without that person’s 
permission,] causing substantial emotional distress to that person and serving 
no legitimate purpose.  
 
§ 784.048(1)(c), Fla. Stat. 
“Credible threat” means a verbal or nonverbal threat, or a combination 
of the two, including threats delivered by electronic communication or implied 
by a pattern of conduct, which places the person who is the target of the 
threat in reasonable fear for his or her safety or the safety of his or her family 
members or individuals closely associated with the person, and which is made 
with the apparent ability to carry out the threat to cause such harm.  
 
It is not necessary for the State to prove that the person making the 
threat had the actual intent to carry out the threat. 
 
Give if applicable. 
The present incarceration of the person making the threat is not a bar 
to prosecution. 
 
Lesser Included Offenses 
 
AGGRAVATED STALKING — 784.048(3) 
CATEGORY ONE 
CATEGORY TWO 
FLA. STAT. INS. NO. 
Stalking 
 
784.048(2) 
8.6 
 
Attempt 
777.04(1) 
5.1 
 
Assault 
784.011 
8.1 
 
Improper exhibition of 
dangerous weapon 
790.10 
10.5 
 
Comment 
 
This instruction was approved in 1995 [657 So. 2d 1152] and amended in 
2007 [953 So. 2d 495], and 2013 [131 So. 3d 755], and 2020. to incorporate the 
change in law effective October 1, 2012. 
 
 
 
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8.7(b) AGGRAVATED STALKING 
(Injunction Entered) 
§ 784.048(4), Fla. Stat. 
 
To prove the crime of Aggravated Stalking, the State must prove the 
following three elements beyond a reasonable doubt: 
 
1. (Defendant) knowingly, willfully, maliciously, and repeatedly 
[followed] [harassed] [or] [cyberstalked] (victim). 
 
Give 2a or 2b or both as applicable. 
2. At the time of the [following] [harassing] [cyberstalking],  
a. an injunction for protection against [repeat] [sexual] 
[dating] [domestic] violence had been entered against 
(defendant) for the benefit of (victim).  
b. a court had imposed a prohibition of conduct on 
(defendant) toward (victim) or (victim’s property). 
3. (Defendant) knew that the [injunction] [court-imposed prohibition 
of conduct] had been entered against [him] [her]. 
Definitions. 
§ 784.048(1)(a), Fla. Stat. 
“Harass” means to engage in a course of conduct directed at a specific 
person which causes substantial emotional distress to that person and serves 
no legitimate purpose. 
 
§ 784.048(1)(b), Fla. Stat. 
 
“Course of conduct” means a pattern of conduct composed of a series of 
acts over a period of time, however short, which evidences a continuity of 
purpose. The term does not include constitutionally protected activity such as 
picketing or other organized protests.  
 
Patterson v. State, 512 So. 2d 1109 (Fla. 1st DCA 1987).  
“Willfully” means knowingly, intentionally and purposely. 
 
Give if applicable.  
§ 784.048(1)(d), Fla. Stat.  
 
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“Cyberstalk” means [to engage in a course of conduct to communicate, 
or to cause to be communicated, words, images, or language by or through the 
use of electronic mail or electronic communication, directed at a specific 
person,] [or] [to access or attempt to access the online accounts or Internet-
connected home electronic systems of another person without that person’s 
permission,] causing substantial emotional distress to that person and serving 
no legitimate purpose.  
 
 
Seese v. State, 955 So. 2d 1145 (Fla. 4th DCA 2007). 
 
“Maliciously” means wrongfully, intentionally, and without legal 
justification or excuse. 
 
Lesser Included Offenses 
 
AGGRAVATED STALKING (Injunction Entered) — 784.048(4) 
CATEGORY ONE 
CATEGORY TWO 
FLA. STAT. INS. NO. 
Stalking 
 
784.048(2) 
8.6 
 
Attempt 
777.04(1) 
5.1 
 
Violation of injunction for 
protection against domestic 
violence 
741.31(4) 
8.168 
 
Violation of injunction for 
protection against repeat, 
sexual, or dating violence 
784.047 
8.19 
 
Violation of injunction for 
protection against stalking or 
cyberstalking 
784.0487(4) 
8.24 
 
Comments 
 
See Seese v. State, 955 So. 2d 1145 (Fla. 4th DCA 2007), for the definition 
of maliciously.   
 
This instruction was adopted in 1995 [657 So. 2d 1152] and was amended in 
2007 [953 So. 2d 495], 2008 [995 So. 2d 476], and 2013 [131 So. 3d 755], and 
2020. 
 
 
 
 
 
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8.7(c) AGGRAVATED STALKING 
(Victim under 16 years of age) 
§ 784.048(5), Fla. Stat. 
 
To prove the crime of Aggravated Stalking, the State must prove the 
following two elements beyond a reasonable doubt: 
 
1. (Defendant) willfully, maliciously, and repeatedly [followed] 
[harassed] [or] [cyberstalked] (victim); and, 
 
2. At the time of (defendant’s) actions, (victim) was under 16 years of 
age. 
Definitions. 
§ 784.048(1)(a), Fla. Stat. 
“Harass” means to engage in a course of conduct directed at a specific 
person which causes substantial emotional distress to that person and serves 
no legitimate purpose. 
 
§ 784.048(1)(b), Fla. Stat. 
 
“Course of conduct” means a pattern of conduct composed of a series of 
acts over a period of time, however short, which evidences a continuity of 
purpose. The term does not include constitutionally protected activity such as 
picketing or other organized protests. 
 
Patterson v. State, 512 So. 2d 1109 (Fla. 1st DCA 1987).  
“Willfully” means knowingly, intentionally and purposely. 
 
Give if applicable.  
§ 784.048(1)(d), Fla. Stat.  
 
“Cyberstalk” means [to engage in a course of conduct to communicate, 
or to cause to be communicated, words, images, or language by or through the 
use of electronic mail or electronic communication, directed at a specific 
person,] [or] [to access or attempt to access the online accounts or Internet-
connected home electronic systems of another person without that person’s 
permission,] causing substantial emotional distress to that person and serving 
no legitimate purpose. 
 
 
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Lesser Included Offenses 
 
AGGRAVATED STALKING (Victim under 16 years of age) — 784.048(5) 
CATEGORY ONE 
CATEGORY TWO 
FLA. STAT. 
INS. NO. 
Stalking 
 
784.048(2) 
8.6 
 
Attempt 
777.04(1) 
5.1 
 
Violation of injunction 
for protection against 
domestic violence 
741.31(4) 
8.18 
 
Violation of injunction 
for protection against 
repeat, sexual, or dating 
violence 
784.047 
8.19 
 
Violation of injunction 
for protection against 
stalking or cyberstalking 
784.0487(4) 
8.24 
 
Comment 
This instruction was adopted in 2000 [765 So. 2d 692] and amended in 2007 
[953 So. 2d 495], and 2013 [131 So. 3d 755], and 2020. 
 
 
 
8.7(d) AGGRAVATED STALKING 
(Defendant previously sentenced for sex offense 
and was prohibited from contacting victim) 
§ 784.048(7), Fla. Stat. 
 
To prove the crime of Aggravated Stalking, the State must prove the 
following three elements beyond a reasonable doubt: 
 
1. (Defendant) was sentenced for [sexual battery] [violating Fla. Stat. 
800.04] [violating Fla. Stat. 847.0135(5)].  
 
2. As part of that sentencing, (defendant) was ordered to have no  
contact with (victim). 
3.  After the sentencing, (defendant) willfully, maliciously, and 
repeatedly [followed] [harassed] [or] [cyberstalked] (victim). 
 
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Definitions. 
§ 784.048(1)(a), Fla. Stat. 
“Harass” means to engage in a course of conduct directed at a specific 
person which causes substantial emotional distress to that person and serves 
no legitimate purpose. 
 
§ 784.048(1)(b), Fla. Stat. 
 
“Course of conduct” means a pattern of conduct composed of a series of 
acts over a period of time, however short, which evidences a continuity of 
purpose. The term does not include constitutionally protected activity such as 
picketing or other organized protests. 
 
Patterson v. State, 512 So. 2d 1109 (Fla. 1st DCA 1987).  
“Willfully” means knowingly, intentionally and purposely. 
 
Give if applicable.  
§ 784.048(1)(d), Fla. Stat.  
 
“Cyberstalk” means [to engage in a course of conduct to communicate, 
or to cause to be communicated, words, images, or language by or through the 
use of electronic mail or electronic communication, directed at a specific 
person,] [or] [to access or attempt to access the online accounts or Internet-
connected home electronic systems of another person without that person’s 
permission,] causing substantial emotional distress to that person and serving 
no legitimate purpose. 
 
 
Seese v. State, 955 So. 2d 1145 (Fla. 4th DCA 2007). 
 
“Maliciously” means wrongfully, intentionally, and without legal 
justification or excuse. 
 
Lesser Included Offenses 
 
AGGRAVATED STALKING (Defendant previously sentenced for sex 
offense and was prohibited from contacting victim) — 784.048(7) 
CATEGORY ONE 
CATEGORY TWO 
FLA. STAT. 
INS. NO. 
Stalking 
 
784.048(2) 
8.6 
 
Attempt 
777.04(1) 
5.1 
 
Violation of injunction 
for protection against 
domestic violence 
741.31(4) 
8.18 
 
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Violation of injunction 
for protection against 
repeat, sexual, or dating 
violence 
784.047 
8.19 
 
Violation of injunction 
for protection against 
stalking or cyberstalking 
784.0487(4) 
8.24 
 
Comment 
This instruction was adopted in 2013 [131 So. 3d 755] and amended in 2020.