CRIMINAL JURY INSTRUCTIONS 2d
OVERVIEW OF METHODOLOGY
The Committee on Criminal Jury Instructions is pleased to present this internet edition of the Criminal Jury Instructions, Second Edition (CJI2d). It is the only current and official publication of CJI2d charges, and replaces all CJI2d charges previously published in a printed format. The first edition of the Criminal Jury Instructions (CJI 1st edition) was published in three books: book I contained charges of "general applicability" and books II and III contained charges for crimes defined primarily by the Penal Law. CJI2d supersedes CJI 1st edition. The CJI2d Committee does not receive adversarial briefs or arguments on unresolved legal issues related to a charge. Such issues are left to the learned and sound discretion of the trial court. CJI2d Charges for Crimes Experience teaches that jurors have difficulty comprehending overly long and complex legal instructions. For charges on specific crimes, therefore, CJI2d adopted a new format designed to make jury instructions shorter and simpler without sacrificing completeness. The original CJI charges on specific crimes generally called for: (1) a reading of the count of the accusatory instrument, (2) a reading of the statutory definition of the crime, (3) a listing of the elements of the crime, interrupted by definitions of terms used, and (4) a recapitulation of the elements within a direction to the jury regarding its obligation to convict or acquit. CJI2d revised this format in the following ways:
The applicability of the charge is set forth in the caption to the charge that sets forth the name of the crime and other identifying information. In particular, the caption provides the date of the most recent amendment of the statute defining the crime. The charge is drawn in contemplation of the crime alleged having been committed on or after that date. Normally, the reason for, and nature of, a revision is normally reported in the first footnote of the charge. If there has been a major overall of the defintion of an offense, then a CJI2d charge for the former definition appears under the heading of “Former Charges.” In the text of the charge, material enclosed in brackets is generally introduced either by the heading: “NOTE: Add where appropriate:” or the word: “or.” The first indicates that the judge may elect to charge the bracketed material because of the particular facts of the case. The second requires the judge to choose from among alternatives, with the choice dictated by the specific allegations in the accusatory instrument. In some charges, the requirement that the judge choose one or more alternatives is signaled by the heading: “Select appropriate alternative(s).” Expanded definitions of the culpable mental states of intent and knowledge are listed in the “General” charges. Expanded definitions or presumptions that relate to a particular crime appear under the heading: " Additional Charges" and follow the charges for all the crimes defined in the particular article of the Penal Law. With respect to "venue" of a county, the Committee recognizes that the law does not required “venue” in a particular county to be proved beyond a reasonable doubt; venue need only be proved by a preponderance of the evidence. People v. Moore, 46 NY2d 1, 6 (1978). Because venue, however, is normally certain, to avoid a separate charge for venue in each charge, venue is included in the items to be proved beyond a reasonable doubt. If, however, venue is in issue, the trial court should strike the reference to the County in the elements, and insert the instruction on “venue” in CJI2d[NY] General Applicability, Geographical Jurisdiction, County Venue. If the “territorial jurisdiction” of the State of New York is in issue, that must be proved beyond a reasonable doubt [People v. McLaughlin, 80 NY2d 466(1992)] and the trial court should insert the instruction on “territorial jurisdiction” in CJI2d[NY] General Applicability, Geographical Jurisdiction, Territorial Jurisdiction. |