Title: Standard Jury Instructions - Civil Cases
Citation: N/A
Docket Number: SC95-396
State: Florida
Issuer: Florida Supreme Court
Date: July 6, 2000

Supreme 
Court 
of 
Florida
 
____________
No. SC95396
____________
STANDARD JURY INSTRUCTIONS–CIVIL CASES (99-1)
[July 6, 2000]
PER CURIAM.
The Supreme Court Committee on Standard Jury Instructions (Civil) has
submitted to this Court proposed amendments to the Florida Standard Jury
Instructions in Civil Cases.  We have jurisdiction.  See art. V, § 2(a), Fla. Const; see
also Fla. R. Civ. P. 1.985. 
The committee published the proposed new and revised instructions at issue in
The Florida Bar News at various times, and comments were received.  The proposals
were again published in The Florida Bar News on September 15, 1999, and more
comments were received.  The committee’s proposals are as follows:
Proposal 1: New Instruction on Documentary, Photographic, or Physical
Evidence 
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Proposal 2:  New Instruction on Publishing Evidence to the Jury 
Proposal 3:  New Instruction Regarding Visual or Demonstrative Aids
Proposal 4:  New Instruction Regarding Note-taking by Jurors
Proposal 5: Revised Instruction on Violation of a Traffic Regulation  
Proposal 6:  Revised Notes on the Use of Instruction on Interference With a
Contract Not Terminable at Will
Proposal 7: Revised Notes and Revised Instruction on Interference With a
Contract Terminable at Will or With a Prospective Business Relationship
Proposal 8: Revised Notes and Instruction on Strict Product Liability
We hereby authorize the publication and use of the new and revised 
instructions as set forth, with minor modifications, in the appendix attached to this
opinion.  In doing so, we express no opinion on the correctness of these instructions
and remind all interested parties that this authorization forecloses neither requesting
additional or alternative instructions nor contesting the legal correctness of these
instructions.  We further caution all interested parties that the notes and 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.
The instructions as set forth in the appendix shall be effective when this opinion
becomes final.  New language is indicated by underlining, and deletions are   
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indicated by struck-through type.  
Finally, in light of recently enacted section 40.50(2), Florida Statutes (1999), and
recent innovations in jury trial procedures in other jurisdictions, we refer the issue of
juror note-taking to the Civil Procedure Rules Committee.  
It is so ordered.
WELLS, C.J., and SHAW, HARDING, ANSTEAD, PARIENTE, LEWIS and
QUINCE, JJ., concur.
NOT FINAL UNTIL TIME EXPIRES TO FILE REHEARING MOTION, AND IF
FILED, DETERMINED.
Original Proceedings - Standard Jury Instructions - Civil Cases
Peter D. Webster, Chair, Supreme Court Committee on Standard Jury Instructions
(Civil), First District Court of Appeal, Tallahassee, Florida,
for Petitioner
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APPENDIX
[1:  New Instruction on Documentary, Photographic or Physical Evidence]
1.5
INSTRUCTION WHEN FIRST ITEM OF DOCUMENTARY,
PHOTOGRAPHIC OR PHYSICAL EVIDENCE IS ADMITTED
The (describe item of evidence) has now been received in evidence. 
Witnesses may testify about or refer to this or any other item of evidence
during the remainder of the trial.  This and all other items received in
evidence will be available to you for examination during your deliberations
at the end of the trial.
NOTE ON USE
This instruction should be given when the first item of evidence is  received
in evidence.  It may be appropriate to repeat this instruction when items received  
in evidence are not published to the jury.  It may be combined with 1.6 in
appropriate circumstances.  It may also be given in conjunction with 1.7 if a 
witness has used exhibits which have been admitted in evidence and
demonstrative aids which have not.
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[2:  New Instruction on Publishing Evidence to the Jury ]
1.6
INSTRUCTION WHEN EVIDENCE IS FIRST PUBLISHED TO JURORS
The (describe item of evidence) has been received in evidence.  It is
being shown to you now to help you understand the testimony of this witness
and other witnesses in the case, as well as the evidence as a whole.  You
may examine (describe item of evidence) briefly now.  It will also be available
to you for examination during your deliberations at the end of the trial.
NOTE ON USE
This instruction may be given when an item received in evidence is handed to
the jurors.  It may be combined with 1.5 in appropriate circumstances.
[3:  New Instruction Regarding Visual or Demonstrative Aids]
1.7
INSTRUCTION REGARDING VISUAL OR DEMONSTRATIVE AIDS
a.
Generally
This witness will be using (identify demonstrative or visual aid(s)) to assist
in explaining or illustrating [his] [her] testimony.  The testimony of the
witness is evidence; however, [this] [these] (identify demonstrative or visual
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aid(s)) [is] [are] not to be considered as evidence in the case unless received
in evidence, and should not be used as a substitute for evidence.  Only items
received in evidence will be available to you for consideration during your
deliberations.
b.
Specially created visual or demonstrative aids based on disputed
assumptions
This witness will be using (identify demonstrative aid(s)) to assist in
explaining or illustrating [his] [her] testimony.  [This] [These] item[s] [has]
[have] been prepared to assist this witness in explaining [his] [her] testimony. 
[It] [They] may be based on assumptions which you are free to accept or
reject.  The testimony of the witness is evidence; however,  [this] [these]
(identify demonstrative or visual aid(s)) [is] [are] not  to be considered as
evidence in the case unless received in evidence, and should not be used as a
substitute for evidence.  Only items received in evidence will be available to
you for consideration during your deliberations. 
NOTE ON USE
1.
Instruction 1.7a should be given at the time a witness first uses a
demonstrative or visual aid which has not been specially created for use in the case,
such as a skeletal model.
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2.
Instruction 1.7b is designed for use when a witness intends to use
demonstrative or visual aids which are based on disputed assumptions, such as a
computer-generated model.  This instruction should be given at the time the witness
first uses these demonstrative or visual aids.  This instruction should be used in
conjunction with 1.5 or 1.6 if a witness uses exhibits during testimony, some of
which are received in evidence, and some of which are not.
[4:  New Instruction Regarding Note-taking by Jurors]
1.8
NOTE-TAKING BY JURORS
a.
Note-taking permitted
If you would like to take notes during the trial, you may do so. On the
other hand, of course, you are not required to take notes if you do not want
to. That will be left up to you individually.
You will be provided with a note pad and a pen for use if you wish to
take notes. Any notes that you take will be for your personal use. However,
you should not take them with you from the courtroom. During recesses, the
bailiff will take possession of your notes and will return them to you when
we reconvene.  After you have completed your deliberations, the bailiff will
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deliver your notes to me. They will  be destroyed. No one will ever read your
notes.
If you take notes, do not get so involved in note-taking that you
become distracted from the proceedings. Your notes should be used only as
aids to your memory.
Whether or not you take notes, you should rely on your memory of the
evidence and you should not be unduly influenced by the notes of other
jurors. Notes are not entitled to any greater weight than each juror’s
memory of the evidence.