Opinion ID: 1318048
Heading Depth: 4
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Jury charge on willful conduct

Text: Heath also argues that the district court erroneously informed the jury that it was not required to find that Heath's conduct was willful for each year charged in the indictment. Although Heath is correct in noting that the court originally misspoke while giving the jury instructions, the mistake was immediately corrected when the court accurately stated that the jury was required to find that the defendant's conduct was willful in each year charged in order to find him guilty. The court specifically instructed the jury as follows: You're reminded that you are not required toexcuse me. You're reminded that you are required to find the defendant's conduct was willful in each year charged in the indictment. Because the court instantly corrected its mistake, the jury was properly charged on the willfulness element of the crime of tax evasion. Heath's argument on this issue is therefore without merit.