Court Opinion

ID: 4224761
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2017-11-30 16:06:46.453457+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T14:41:54.809933
License: Public Domain

Supreme Court of Florida
                                  ____________

                                  No. SC17-1713
                                  ____________

  IN RE: STANDARD JURY INSTRUCTIONS IN CRIMINAL CASES—
                     REPORT 2017-04.

                               [November 30, 2017]

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 the following existing instructions: 10.8

(Threat to Throw, Place, Project, or Discharge any Destructive Device); 14.4

(Retail Theft); 25.15(a) (Retail Sale of Drug Paraphernalia); and 28.11 (Driving

While License Suspended, Revoked or Canceled with Knowledge). In addition,

the Committee proposes deleting instruction 10.4 (Persons Engaged in Criminal

Offense Having Weapon (Previous Conviction)). No comments were received by

the Committee pertaining to the proposals to instructions 10.4 and 10.8.
Comments pertaining to the remaining proposals, however, were received from the

Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers and the Florida Public Defender

Association. The Committee made responsive changes to the proposals to amend

instructions 14.4, 25.15(a), and 28.11. The Court did not publish the proposals

after they were filed. The more significant amendments to the instructions are

discussed below.

      Criminal jury instruction 10.4 (Persons Engaged in Criminal Offense Having

Weapon (Previous Conviction)), currently provides as follows: “It is error to

inform the jury of a prior conviction. Therefore, do not read the allegation of prior

convictions or send the information or indictment into the jury room. State of

Florida v. Harris, 356 So. 2d 315 (Fla. 1978).” While the instruction purports to

cover section 790.07(4), Florida Statutes (2017) (Persons engaged in criminal

offense, having weapons), subsection (4) provides instead:

             Whoever, having previously been convicted of a violation of
      subsection (1) or subsection (2) and, subsequent to such conviction,
      displays, uses, threatens, or attempts to use any weapon, firearm, or
      electric weapon or device, carries a concealed weapon, or carries a
      concealed firearm while committing or attempting to commit any
      felony or while under indictment is guilty of a felony of the first
      degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or
      s. 775.084. Sentence shall not be suspended or deferred under the
      provisions of this subsection.

                                        -2-
§ 790.07(4), Fla. Stat. (2017). Because instruction 10.4 does not pertain to section

790.07(4), we agree with the Committee and delete both the instruction number

and the body of the instruction.

      Next, instruction 10.8 is amended to make clear that the offense as charged

under section 790.162, Florida Statutes (2017) (Threat to throw, project, place, or

discharge any destructive device, felony; penalty), requires that the threat convey

an intent to do bodily harm or property damage, not necessarily that the defendant

had the intent to actually do such harm or damage, that the harm or damage was

actually possible, or that there was an actual destructive device, citing Valdes v.

State, 443 So. 2d 221 (Fla. 1st DCA 1983), and Reid v. State, 405 So. 2d 500 (Fla.

2d DCA 1981).

      Instruction 14.4 (Retail Theft) has not been amended since it was adopted in

1981, and no longer properly instructs upon the offense defined under section

812.015, Florida Statutes (2017) (Retail and farm theft; transit fare evasion;

mandatory fine; alternative punishment; detention and arrest; exemption from

liability for false arrest; resisting arrest; penalties). Accordingly, instruction 14.4 is

amended to include four, rather than two, elements to define the offense. The first

two elements are based upon the definition of “retail theft” under section

812.015(1)(d). Next, the third element includes all the circumstances set forth in

section 812.015(8)(a)-(d). Lastly, the fourth element captures the requirement in

                                          -3-
section 812.015(8), that the property must be valued at $300 or more. Additional

changes to instruction 14.4 are also made as reflected in the appendix to this

opinion.

      Existing criminal jury instructions 10.8, 14.4, 25.15(a), and 28.11, as

proposed by the Committee, and as set forth in the appendix to this opinion, are

hereby authorized for publication and use, while instruction 10.4 is hereby

removed.1 New language is indicated by underlining, and 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 the instructions. We further

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. The instructions as set

forth in the appendix shall be effective when this opinion becomes final.

      It is so ordered.

       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.

                                         -4-
LABARGA, C.J., and PARIENTE, LEWIS, QUINCE, CANADY, POLSTON,
and LAWSON, 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

                                       -5-
                                    APPENDIX

           10.4 PERSONS ENGAGED IN CRIMINAL OFFENSE HAVING
                   WEAPON (PREVIOUS CONVICTION)
                          § 790.07(4), Fla.Stat.

             It is error to inform the jury of a prior conviction. Therefore, do not
read the allegation of prior convictions or send the information or indictment into
the jury room. State of Florida v. Harris, 356 So. 2d 315 (Fla. 1978).

             10.8 THREAT TO THROW, PLACE, PROJECT, OR
                 DISCHARGE ANY DESTRUCTIVE DEVICE
                          § 790.162, Fla._Stat.

      To prove the crime of (crime charged)Threat to [Throw] [Place]
[Project] [Discharge] Any Destructive Device, the State must prove the
following two elements beyond a reasonable doubt:

      1.     (Defendant) threatened to [throw] [place] [project] [discharge] a
             destructive device.

                   [throw]
                   [place]
                   [project]
                   [discharge]

             a destructive device.
      2.     [He] [She] did so withThe threat conveyed an intent to do [bodily
             harm to] [damage to the property of] any person.

                   [bodily harm to any person].
                   [damage to the property of any person].

       Give if requested. Valdes v. State, 443 So. 2d 221 (Fla. 1st DCA 1983); Reid
v. State, 405 So. 2d 500 (Fla. 2d DCA 1981).

                                        -6-
      It is not necessary for the State to prove the defendant had the actual
intent to cause [harm] [or] [damage], or that [he] [she] had the ability to carry
out the threat, or that there was an actual destructive device.

        Definition. Adapt as appropriate. § 790.001(4), Fla. Stat.
        A “destructive device” is defined as (adapt from § 790.001(4), Fla.Stat., as
required by the allegations)means any bomb, grenade, mine, rocket, missile,
pipebomb, or similar device containing an explosive, incendiary, or poison gas
and includes any frangible container filled with an explosive, incendiary,
explosive gas, or expanding gas, which is designed or so constructed as to
explode by such filler and is capable of causing bodily harm or property
damage; any combination of parts either designed or intended for use in
converting any device into a destructive device and from which a destructive
device may be readily assembled; any device declared a destructive device by
the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms; any type of weapon which
will, is designed to, or may readily be converted to expel a projectile by the
action of any explosive and which has a barrel with a bore of one-half inch or
more in diameter; and ammunition for such destructive devices, but not
including shotgun shells or any other ammunition designed for use in a
firearm other than a destructive device.

      “Destructive device” does not include:
      (a) A device which is not designed, redesigned, used, or intended
           for use as a weapon;
      (b) Any device, although originally designed as a weapon, which
           is redesigned so that it may be used solely as a signaling,
           line-throwing, safety, or similar device;
      (c) Any shotgun other than a short-barreled shotgun; or
      (d) Any nonautomatic rifle (other than a short-barreled rifle)
           generally recognized or particularly suitable for use for the
           hunting of big game.

                                        -7-
                            Lesser Included Offenses

  THREAT TO THROW, PROJECT, PLACE, OR DISCHARGE ANY
             DESTRUCTIVE DEVICE — 790.162
 CATEGORY ONE    CATEGORY TWO       FLA. STAT. INS. NO.
 None
                 Attempt            777.04(1)  5.1
                 Aggravated Assault 784.021    8.2
                 Assault            784.011    8.1

                                    Comment

     This instruction was adopted in 1981 and was amended in 1989 and 2017.

                              14.4 RETAIL THEFT
                             § 812.015(18), Fla._Stat.

     To prove the crime of Retail Theft, the State must prove the following
twofour elements beyond a reasonable doubt:

     1.      (Defendant) knowingly:

     Give a, b, c, and/or d as applicable.
        a. [took possession of or carried away [merchandise] [property]
           [money] [negotiable documents].

          b. [altered or removed a [label] [universal product code] or [price
             tag] from merchandise].

          c. [transferred merchandise from one container to another].

          d. [removed a shopping cart from a merchant's premises].

     2.      [He] [She] intended (Defendant) did so with the intent to
             deprive the a merchant of possession, use, benefit, or full

                                       -8-
              retail value of the [merchandise] [property] [money]
              [negotiable documents] [shopping cart].

      Give a, b, c, and/or d as applicable.
      3.    (Defendant),

           a. individually, or in concert with one or more other persons,
              coordinated the activities of one or more individuals in
              committing the offense.

           b. committed theft from more than one location within a 48-hour
              period.

           c. acted in concert with one or more individuals within one or more
              establishments to distract the merchant, merchant’s employee, or
              law enforcement officer in order to carry out the offense, or acted
              in other ways to coordinate efforts to carry out the offense.

           d. purchased merchandise in a package or box that [he] [she] knew
              contained merchandise other than, or in addition to, the
              merchandise purported to be contained in the package or box.

      4.      The value of the [merchandise] [property] [money]
              [negotiable documents] was $300 or more.

      Give if applicable.
      § 812.015(8)(a) and (8)(b), Fla. Stat.
      If you find that the defendant [acted in concert with one or more other
persons and coordinated the activities of one or more individuals in
committing a Retail Theft] [committed theft from more than one location
within a 48-hour period], the amount of each individual theft is aggregated to
determine the value of the property stolen.

      Theft of an Instrument.
      In the case of a written instrument that does not have a readily
ascertainable market value, such as a check, draft, or promissory note, the
value is the amount due or collectible.

                                        -9-
      In the case of any other instrument that creates, releases, discharges or
otherwise affects any valuable legal right, privilege, or obligation, the value is
the greatest amount of economic loss that the owner of the instrument might
reasonably suffer by virtue of the loss of the instrument.

      Definitions.
      § 812.015(1)(a), Fla. Stat.
      “"Merchandise"” means any personal property, capable of manual
delivery, displayed, held or offered for retail sale by a merchant.

      § 812.015(1)(b), Fla. Stat.
      “"Merchant"” means an owner or operator, and or the agent,
consignee, employee, lessee, or officer of an owner or operator, of any
premises (or apparatus) or apparatus used for retail purchase or sale of any
merchandise.

      § 812.015(1)(c), Fla. Stat.
      “"Value of merchandise"” means the sale price of the merchandise at
the time it was stolen or otherwise removed, depriving the owner of her or his
lawful right to ownership and sale of said item.

       Optional Definitions. Shaw v. State, 510 So. 2d 349 (Fla. 2d DCA 1987).
       “"Knowingly"” means with actual knowledge and understanding of the
facts or the truth.

      “"Knowingly"” means an act done voluntarily and intentionally and
not because of mistake or accident or other innocent reason. (Devitt &
Blackmar — Federal Jury Practice and Instructions, Sec. 16.07)

                                       - 10 -
                              Lesser Included Offenses

      No lesser included offenses have been identified for this offense.

             RETAIL THEFT —— 812.015(8)
CATEGORY ONE    CATEGORY TWO FLA. STAT.                                    INS.
                                                                           NO.
Grand theft*                                           812.014(2)(c)       14.1
Petit theft — first degree*                            812.014(2)(e)       14.1
Petit theft — second                                   812.014(3)(a)       14.1
degree*

                                     Comments

      *Under the Retail Theft statute, the “value” of the property is the price stated
on the price tag affixed to the item at the time it was stolen. F.T. v. State, 146 So.
3d 1270 (Fla. 3d DCA 2014). This determination of “value” may be different than
“value” as defined in the theft statute.

      There is no misdemeanor Retail Theft crime. There is, however, a second-
degree felony crime of Retail Theft for a person who commits Retail Theft and the
property stolen had a value in excess of $3,000 or for a person who commits Retail
Theft and has a prior conviction for Retail Theft. See § 812.015(9), Fla. Stat. As of
August 2017, there was no case law that determined whether the jury must find the
existence of the prior conviction in a bifurcated proceeding or whether that finding
may be made by the sentencing judge. There was also no case law that decided
whether a “conviction” includes a withhold of adjudication.

      This instruction was adopted in 1981 and amended in 2017.

               25.15(a) RETAIL SALE OF DRUG PARAPHERNALIA
                            § 893.147(6), Fla. Stat.

     To prove the crime of Retail Sale of Drug Paraphernalia, the State must
prove the following two elements beyond a reasonable doubt:

                                        - 11 -
      1. (Defendant) knowingly and willfully [sold] [offered for sale] at
         retail one or more objects defined as drug paraphernalia.

      2. The object[s] [was] [were]:

            Give as applicable. § 893.145(12)(a)-(c), (g)-(m), Fla. Stat.
             (a) [a] metal, wooden, acrylic, glass, stone, plastic, or ceramic
                     pipe[s].
             (b) [a] water pipe[s].
             (c) [a] carburetion tube[s] and device[s].
             (d) [a] chamber pipe[s].
             (e) [a] carburetor pipe[s].
             (f)    [an] electric pipe[s].
             (g) [an] air-driven pipe[s].
             (h) [a] chillum[s].
             (i)    [a] bong[s].
             (j)    [an] ice pipe[s] or [a] chiller[s].
       Definitions.
       Optional definitions of knowingly.
       “Knowingly” means with actual knowledge and understanding of the
facts or the truth.

     “Knowingly” means an act done voluntarily and intentionally and not
because of mistake or accident or other innocent reason.

      “Willfully” means intentionally, knowingly, and purposely.

      The term “drug paraphernalia” means an object used, intended for use,
or designed for use in ingesting, inhaling, or otherwise introducing cannabis,
cocaine, hashish, hashish oil, or nitrous oxide [a controlled substance] [a
substance described in § 877.111(1), Florida Statutes] into the human body.

      The Court instructs you that (name of substance) is a [controlled
substance] [substance listed in § 877.111(1), Florida Statutes].

       Relevant factors. § 893.146, Fla. Stat.
       In addition to all other logically relevant factors, the following factors
shall be considered in determining whether an object is drug paraphernalia:

                                       - 12 -
1.    Statements by an owner or by anyone in control of the object
      concerning its use.

2.    The proximity of the object, in time and space, to a direct
      violation of the drug laws.

3.    The proximity of the object to controlled substances.

4.    The existence of any residue of controlled substances on the
      object.

5.    Evidence of the intent of an owner, or of anyone in control of the
      object, to deliver it to persons whom [he] [she] knows, or should
      reasonably know, intend to use the object to facilitate a violation
      of the drug laws. The innocence of an owner, or of anyone in
      control of the object, as to a direct violation of the drug laws shall
      not prevent a finding that the object is intended for use, or
      designed for use, as drug paraphernalia.

6.    Instructions, oral or written, provided with the object concerning
      its use.

7.    Descriptive materials accompanying the object which explain or
      depict its use.

8.    Any advertising concerning its use.

9.    The manner in which the object is displayed for sale.

10.   Whether the owner, or anyone in control of the object, is a
      legitimate supplier of like or related items to the community, such
      as a licensed distributor or dealer of tobacco products.

11.   Evidence of the ratio of sales of the object or objects to the total
      sales of the business enterprise.

12.   The existence and scope of legitimate uses for the object in the
      community.

13.   Expert testimony concerning its use.

                                - 13 -
                             Lesser Included Offenses
      No lesser included offenses have been identified for this offense.

                                     Comments

        It is unclear whether the exception for pipes primarily made of briar,
meerschaum, clay, or corn cob is an element or an affirmative defense. In the
absence of case law, trial judges will have to make that determination if the issue
arises.

       The crime in § 893.147(6)(a), Fla. Stat., is reclassified from a first-degree
misdemeanor to a third-degree felony upon a second or subsequent violation.
See § 893.147(6)(b), Fla. Stat. As of August 2017, it is unclear whether a prior
violation will be treated as an element of the crime which must be proven to the
jury or as a sentencing factor which may be proven to the judge. If treated as an
element, it It is error to inform the jury of a prior violation of Retail Sale of Drug
Paraphernalia. Therefore, if the information or indictment contains an allegation of
one or more prior violations, do not read that allegation and do not send the
information or indictment into the jury room. If the defendant is found guilty of a
Retail Sale of Drug Paraphernalia, the historical fact of a previous violation shall
be determined beyond a reasonable doubt in a bifurcated proceeding. See State v.
Harbaugh, 754 So. 2d 691 (Fla. 2000).

      This instruction was adopted in 2014 [143 So. 3d 893] and amended in 2017.

         28.11 DRIVING WHILE LICENSE SUSPENDED, REVOKED OR
                    CANCELED WITH KNOWLEDGE
                         § 322.34(2), Fla. Stat.

     To prove the crime of Driving While [License] [Driving Privilege] iswas
[Suspended] [Revoked] [Canceled], the State must prove the following three
elements beyond a reasonable doubt:

          1. (Defendant) drove a motor vehicle upon a highway in this state.

                                        - 14 -
         2. At thethat time, [[his] [her]] [[license] [driving privilege]] was
            [suspended] [revoked] [canceled].

         3. At thethat time (defendant) drove a motor vehicle upon a highway
            in this state, (defendant) knew that [[his] [her]] [[license] [driving
            privilege]] was [suspended] [revoked] [canceled].

       Whether (defendant) knew of the [suspension] [revocation] [cancellation]
is a question to be determined by you from the evidence.

      Give as applicable. See § 322.251(1), (2), and § 322.34(2), (3),(4), Fla. Stat.
      Proof that there exists an entry in the records of the Department of
Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles showing that notice of the [suspension]
[revocation] [cancellation] was given by personal delivery is proof that such
notice was given.

      Proof that there exists an entry in the records of the Department of
Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles showing that notice of the [suspension]
[revocation] [cancellation] was deposited in United States mail, first class,
postage prepaid, addressed to the licensee at [his][her] last known mailing
address furnished to the department, is proof that such notice was sent.

      If you find that (defendant) had been previously cited for driving while
license [suspended] [revoked] [canceled] and [his] [her] license had not been
reinstated, you may conclude that (defendant) knew of the [suspension]
[revocation] [cancellation].

      If you find that (defendant) admitted to knowing of the [suspension]
[revocation] [cancellation], you may conclude that (defendant) knew of the
[suspension] [revocation] [cancellation].

      If you find that (defendant) had received a traffic citation that contained
a provision notifying (defendant) that [his] [her] license had been suspended,
revoked, or canceled, you may conclude that (defendant) knew of the
[suspension] [revocation] [cancellation].

      Do not give if the suspension was for failure to pay a traffic fine or for a
financial responsibility violation. See § 322.34(2) and § 322.251(1), (2), Fla. Stat.

                                        - 15 -
      If you find that (defendant) had received a [judgment] [order] rendered
by [a court] [an adjudicatory body] which contained a provision notifying
(defendant) that [his] [her] license had been [suspended] [revoked] [canceled],
you may conclude that (defendant) knew of the [suspension] [revocation]
[cancellation].

       If you find that the records of the Department of Highway Safety and
Motor Vehicles include a [judgment] [order] rendered by [a court] [an
adjudicatory body] which contains a provision notifying (defendant) that [his]
[her] license had been [suspended], [revoked] [canceled], you are permitted to
assumemay conclude that (defendant) knew [his] [her] license was [suspended]
[revoked] [canceled]. This presumption, however, is rebuttable, and youYou
may accept or reject the presumptioninference depending upon the
circumstances of the crime and the facts presented at trial.

       Definitions. Give if applicable.
       § 322.01(15), Fla. Stat.
       “Drive” means to operate [or be in actual physical control of] a motor
vehicle in any place open to the general public for purposes of vehicular
traffic.

     § 322.01(27), Fla. Stat.
     “Motor vehicle” means any vehicle which is self-propelled, including a
“moped,” but not any vehicle moved solely by human power, motorized
wheelchair or motorized bicycle.

      § 322.01(39), Fla. Stat.; State v. Tucker, 761 So. 2d 1248 (Fla. 2d DCA
2000).
      “Street or Highway” means the entire width between the boundary lines
of every way or place if any part thereof is open to the use of the public for
purposes of vehicular traffic. [A privately owned parking lot, that is open to
public use by vehicles, is considered to be a highway.]

       § 322.251, Fla. Stat.
       “Notice” means personal delivery or deposit in the United States mail,
first class, postage prepaid, addressed to the defendant at [his] [her] last
known address furnished to the Department of Highway Safety and Motor
Vehicles. Mailing by the department shall constitute notification.

                                     - 16 -
     Optional Definitions.
     § 322.01(40), Fla. Stat.
     “Suspended” means the privilege to drive a motor vehicle has been
temporarily withdrawn.

     § 322.01(36), Fla. Stat.
     “Revoked” means the privilege to drive a motor vehicle has been
terminated.

      § 322.01(5), Fla. Stat.
      “Canceled” means that a license has been declared void and terminated.

     The option of “on a motor vehicle” pertains to motor vehicles such as
motorcycles and mopeds.
     “Actual physical control” of a motor vehicle means the defendant must
be physically in [or on] the motor vehicle and have the capability to operate
the motor vehicle, regardless of whether [he] [she] is actually operating the
motor vehicle at the time.

       § 322.251(1), Fla. Stat.
       Failure by the defendant to receive the mailed order shall not affect or stay
the effective date or term of the [cancellation], [suspension], [revocation] of the
defendant’s driving privilege.

                             Lesser Included Offenses

         DRIVING WHILE LICENSE SUSPENDED, REVOKED OR
              CANCELED, WITH KNOWLEDGE — § 322.34
 CATEGORY ONE         CATEGORY TWO FLA. STAT      INS. NO.
 No Valid Driver’s                    322.03      28.9
 License
                      Attempt         777.04(1)   5.1

                                        - 17 -
                                     Comments

       Pursuant to § 322.251(1), Florida Statutes, failure to receive the mailed order
shall not affect or stay the effective date or term of the cancellation, suspension, or
revocation of the defendant’s driving privilege.

       The crime in § 322.34(2), Florida Statutes, is enhanced based on the number
of prior violations. Unless the prior violation was disposed of pursuant to
§ 318.14(10), Florida Statutes, a withhold of adjudication constitutes a prior
violation. Raulerson v. State, 763 So. 2d 285 (Fla. 2000). As of August 2017, it is
unclear whether the existence of a prior violation will be treated as an element that
must be proven to the jury in a bifurcated proceeding or as a sentencing factor that
can be proven to the judge. If treated as an element, it is error to inform the jury of
a prior violation. Therefore, if the information or indictment contains an allegation
of one or more prior violations, do not read that allegation and do not send the
information or indictment into the jury room. If the defendant is found guilty of
Driving with License Suspended, Revoked, or Canceled, the historical fact of a
previous violation shall be determined beyond a reasonable doubt in a bifurcated
proceeding. See State v. Harbaugh, 754 So. 2d 691 (Fla. 2000).

       This instruction was adopted in 1981, and amended in 2007 [958 So. 2d
361], and 2013 [131 So. 3d 692], and 2017.

                                         - 18 -