IN RE STANDARD JURY INSTRUCTIONS IN CRIMINAL CASES-REPORT NO. 2008-02
AI-generated. These summaries, headnotes, and key points are machine-generated and may contain errors or omissions. Always verify against the full opinion text below. Not legal advice.
The Florida Supreme Court authorized four new standard jury instructions for criminal cases involving lewd and lascivious offenses against children under section 800.04 of the Florida Statutes. The instructions address lewd or lascivious molestation, conduct, exhibition in the presence of a child, and exhibition over a computer service, with minor modifications to the Committee's proposals.
The Court authorized all four proposed instructions (11.10(c), 11.10(d), 11.10(e), and 11.10(f)) for publication and use with minor modifications, effective upon the date the opinion becomes final. The Court added the word 'intentionally' to instruction 11.10(c), paragraph 2.b., and corrected the statutory reference for instruction 11.10(f) to reflect recent legislation moving the statutory language to section 847.0135(5), Fla. Stat.
[1] The Supreme Court of Florida has jurisdiction to authorize proposed changes to standard jury instructions in criminal cases.
[2] Ignorance of a victim's age, a victim's misrepresentation of age, or a defendant's bona fide belief of a victim's age is not a defense to crimes involving lewd or lascivi…
Previewing 2 of 6 headnotes on this case. FLexlaw’s editorially structured points of law — every proposition, pinpointed — are reserved for members.
Join FLexlaw to unlock all legal intelligence“The words "lewd" and "lascivious" mean the same thing and mean a wicked, lustful, unchaste, licentious, or sensual intent on the part of the person doing an act.”
Definition included in all four authorized instructions to establish the mens rea element for lewd and lascivious offenses.
Previewing 1 of 3 key quotes on this case — the court’s exact language, pinpointed for members.
Join FLexlaw to unlock all legal intelligenceThe Supreme Court Committee on Standard Jury Instructions in Criminal Cases previously proposed six instructions pertaining to lewd and lascivious con…
The full statement of facts, procedural history, and disposition for this case are member content.
Join FLexlaw to unlock all legal intelligence© FLexlaw, Inc. — AI-generated enrichments are proprietary. All rights reserved.
Explore caselaw by topic → Browse Lewd And Lascivious Conduct cases and more on FLexlaw
PER CURIAM.
The Supreme Court Committee on Standard Jury Instructions in Criminal Cases (Committee) has submitted proposed changes to the standard jury instructions. We have jurisdiction. See art. V, § 2(a), Fla. Const. Previously in case number SC05-1434, the Committee proposed six new instrue-tions pertaining to lewd and lascivious conduct. All six instructions were based upon crimes set forth in section 800.04, Florida Statutes (2006), entitled “Lewd or lascivious offenses committed upon or in the presence of persons less than 16 years of age.” Two of the proposed instructions, instructions 11.10(a) (Lewd or Lascivious Battery (Engaging in Sexual Activity)) and 11.10(b) (Lewd or Lascivious Battery (Encouraging, Forcing, or Enticing)), were authorized for publication and use; the other four, instructions 11.10(c) (Lewd or Lascivious Molestation), 11.10(d) (Lewd or Lascivious Conduct), 11.10(e) (Lewd or Lascivious Exhibition/Presence of a Child), and 11.10(f) (Lewd or Lascivious Exhibition Over Computer Service), were referred back to the Committee for further consideration. In re Std. Jury Instr. in Crim. Cases (No.2005-3), 969 So. 2d 245 (Fla.2007).
On March 12, 2008, the Committee filed Report No. 2008-02, containing revised proposals for instructions 11.10(c) (Lewd or Lascivious Molestation), 11.10(d) (Lewd or Lascivious Conduct), 11.10(e) (Lewd or Lascivious Exhibition/Presence of a Child), and 11.10(f) (Lewd or Lascivious Exhibition Over Computer Service). After submission to the Court, the proposals were published for comment in The Florida Bar News on April 15, 2008. Two comments were filed with regard to proposed instruction 11.10(c). The Committee has filed a response to the comments. No comments were received with regard to the other proposed instructions.
After consideration of the Committee’s report and the comments filed, we authorize the four new proposed instructions with minor modifications.1 New instructions 11.10(c), Lewd or Lascivious Molestation, 11.10(d), Lewd or Lascivious Conduct, 11.10(e), Lewd or Lascivious Exhibition/Presence of a Child, and 11.10(f), Lewd or Lascivious Exhibition Over Computer Service are authorized for publication and use as reflected in the appendix to this opinion. By authorizing these instructions for publication and use, we express no opinion on the correctness of the instructions 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 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. New language is indicated by underlining, and deleted language is struck through. The instructions as set forth in the appendix2 shall be effective on the date that this opinion becomes final.
It is so ordered.
QUINCE, C.J., and WELLS, ANSTEAD, PARIENTE, LEWIS, and CANADY, JJ., concur. POLSTON, J., did not participate.
APPENDIX
11.10(c) LEWD OR LASCIVIOUS MOLESTATION
§ 800.04(5), Fla. Stat. To prove the crime of Lewd or Lascivious Molestation, the State must prove the following three elements beyond a reasonable doubt:
Give la or lb as applicable.
L (Victim)
a. was 12 years of age or older but less than 16 years of age.
b. was less than 12 years of age.
Give 2a or 2b as applicable.
2. (Defendant)
a. intentionally touched in a lewd or lascivious manner the [breasts] [genitals] [genital area] [buttocks] [clothing covering the breasts] [clothing covering the genitals] [clothing covering the genital area] [clothing covering the buttocks] of (victim).
b. intentionally [forced] [enticed] (victim) to touch the [breasts] [genitals] [genital area] [buttocks] [clothing covering the breasts] [clothing covering the genitals] [clothing covering the genital area] [clothing covering the buttocks] of (defendant).
Give 3a or 3b as applicable.
3. (Defendant)
a. was 18 years of age or older at the time of the offense.
b. was less than 18 years of age at the time of the offense.
Definition.
The words “lewd” and “lascivious” mean the same thing and mean a wicked, lustful, unchaste, licentious, or sensual intent on the part of the person doing an act.
Neither (victim’s) lack of chastity nor consent is a defense to the crime charged.
The defendant’s ignorance of victim’s age, victim’s misrepresentation of [his] [her] age, or the defendant’s bona fide belief of (victim’s) age is not a defense to the crime charged.
Comment
11.10(d) LEWD OR LASCIVIOUS CONDUCT
§ 800.04(6), Fla. Stat. To prove the crime of Lewd or Lascivious Conduct, the State must prove the following three elements beyond a reasonable doubt:
1. (Victim) was under the age of 16 years.
2. (Defendant)
a. [intentionally touched (victim) in a lewd or lascivious manner.]
b. [solicited (victim) to commit a lewd or lascivious act.]
Give 3a or 3b as applicable.
3.a. (Defendant) was 18 years of age or older at the time of the offense.
Definitions.
Neither (victim's) lack of chastity nor (victim’s) consent is a defense to the
Comment
§ 800.04(7)(a), Fla. Stat. To prove the crime of Lewd or Lascivious Exhibition, the State must prove the following four elements beyond a reasonable doubt:
1. (Victim) was under the age of 16 years.
2. (Defendant)
a. [intentionally masturbated.]
b. [intentionally exposed [his] [her] genitals in a lewd or lascivious manner.]
c. [committed [a sexual act] [sadomasochistic abuse] [sexual bestiality] [simulation of any act involving sexual activity] that did not involve actual physical or sexual contact with (victim).]
3. The act was committed in the presence of (victim).
Give ka or kb as applicable.
4. a. (Defendant) was 18 years of age or older at the time of the offense.
Definitions.
The words “lewd” and “lascivious” mean the same thing and mean a wicked, lustful, unchaste, licentious, or sensual intent on the part of the person doing an act.
§ 800M(l)(a), Fla. Stat. “Sexual activity” means the oral, anal, or vaginal penetration by, or union with, the sexual organ of another or the anal or vaginal penetration of another by any other object; however, sexual activity does not include an act done for a bona fide medical purpose.
§ 847.001(13), Fla. Stat
“Sadomasochistic abuse” means flagellation or torture by or upon a person or animal, or the condition of being fettered, bound, or otherwise physically restrained, for the purpose of deriving sexual satisfaction, or satisfaction brought about as a result of sadistic violence, from inflicting harm on another or receiving such harm oneself.
§ 84.7.001(15), Fla. Stat
“Sexual bestiality” means any sexual act, actual or simulated, between a person and an animal involving the sex organ of the one and the mouth, anus, or vagina of the other. § 800.04, Fla. Stat See State v. Wer-ner, 609 SoM 585 (Fla.1992).
“In the presence of’ means that (victim) saw, heard, or otherwise sensed that the act was taking place.
Neither (victim’s) lack of chastity nor (victim’s) consent is a defense to the crime charged.
The defendant’s ignorance of (victim’s) age, (victim’s) misrepresentation of his or her age, or the defendant’s bona fide belief of (victim’s) age is not a defense to the crime charged.
Comment
11.10(f) LEWD OR LASCIVIOUS EXHIBITION OYER COMPUTER SERVICE
§ 847.0135(5), Fla. Stat. To prove the crime of Lewd or Lascivious Exhibition over a Computer Online Service, the State must prove the following four elements beyond a reasonable doubt:
1.a. [ (Defendant) intentionally masturbated.]
b. [ (Defendant) intentionally exposed [his] [her] genitals in a lewd or lascivious manner.]
c. [ (Defendant) committed [a sexual act] [sadomasochistic abuse] [sexual bestiality] [simulation of any act involving sexual activity] that did not involve actual physical or sexual contact with (victim).]
2. The act was committed live over a [computer online service] [internet service] [local bulletin board service].
3. (Victim) was under the age of 16 years
or
(Defendant) [knew] [should have known] [had reason to believe] that the transmission was viewed on a computer or television monitor by a victim in this state who was under the age of 16 years.
Give Aa or Jpb as applicable.
4. a. (Defendant) was 18 years of age or older at the time of the offense.
Definitions.
The words “lewd” and “lascivious” mean the same thing and mean a wicked, lustful, unchaste, licentious, or sensual intent on the part of the person doing an act.
§ 800.0i(l)(a), Fla. Stat. “Sexual activity” means the oral, anal, or vaginal penetration by, or union with, the sexual organ of another or the anal or vaginal penetration of another by any other object; however, sexual activity does not include an act done for a bona fide medical purpose.
The fact that an undercover operative or law enforcement officer was involved in the detection and investigation of an offense is not a defense to the crime charged.
Comment
For offenses occurring prior to October 1, 2008, refer to section 800.04(7)(b), Florida Statutes (2007).
. Paragraph 2.b. of instruction 11.10(c) as proposed by the Committee has been modified to add the word “intentionally.” Additionally, due to recent legislation moving the statutory language setting forth the crime of lewd and lascivious exhibition over a computer service from section 800.04(7)(b) to section 847.0135(5), Florida Statutes (2008), see ch.2008-172, §§ 3-4, Laws of Fla., the statutory reference contained in the title and the table of lesser included offenses for instruction 11.10(f) has been corrected and a comment has been added.
We also note that all four of the new instructions addressed herein include the following definition: "The words 'lewd' and ‘lascivious' mean the same thing and mean a wicked, lustful, unchaste, licentious, or sensual intent on the part of the person doing an act.” Although we authorize the instructions for publication and use with this definition as proposed by the Committee, we have referred these and other instructions containing similar language to the Committee for consideration of whether a uniform definition for "lewd and lascivious” is needed and whether the term "sensual intent” or "sensual intention” should be included in that definition.
. The amendments as reflected in the appendix are to the Standard Jury Instructions in Criminal Cases 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 the instructions authorized for publication and use after October 25, 2007, should be resolved by reference to the published opinion of this Court authorizing the instructions.
Cases With Similar Vibessemantic neighbors from the corpus
Citator
Cited By
-
In re Standard Jury Instructions IN Crim. Cases-Report NO. 2014-08, 176 So. 3d 938 (Fla. 2015)…d. The fact that an undercover operative or law enforcement officer was involved in the detection and investigation of an offense is not a defense to the crime charged. Lesser Included Offenses [*943] Comment This instruction was adopted in 2008 [998 So. 2d 1138] arid amended in 2015. For offenses occurring-prior to October-1, 2008) refer-to ■ section 800.04(7)(b),- Florida 11.10(g) LEWD OR LASCIVIOUS EXHIBITION BY A DETAINEE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN EMPLOYEE OF A FACILITY § 800.09, Fla. Stat. To prove the…
-
In re Standard Jury Instructions IN Crim. Cases-Report NO. 2012-01, 109 So. 3d 721 (Fla. 2013)…s _LEWD OR LASCIVIOUS MOLESTATION — 800.04(5)_ CATEGORY ONE CATEGORY TWO_FLA. STAT. INS. NO, None _Attempt_777.04(1)_51._ _Assault_784.011_81_ Battery_784.03&3 Unnatural and lascivious act 800.02 11.8 Comment This instruction was adopted in 2008 [998 So. 2d 1138] and amended in 2013. 13.1 BURGLARY § 810.02, Fla. Stat. Give if the information or indictment charges entering with the intent to commit an offense: To prove the crime of Burglary, the State must prove the following [two] [three] elements beyon…
-
In re Standard Jury Instructions IN Crim. Cases-Report NO. 2010-03, 48 So. 3d 41 (Fla. 2010)…re Standard Jury Instructions in Criminal Cases—Report No. 2008-04, 995 So. 2d 476, 477 n. 1 (Fla.2008) (amendments to instructions on sexual battery and prostitution); see also In re Standard Jury Instructions in Criminal Cases—Report No. 2008-02, 998 So. 2d 1138, 1139 n. 2 (Fla.2008) (amendments to instructions on lewd and lascivious molestation, conduct, and exhibition). The Committee’s proposals include the following: amending the definition of “lascivious” in instructions 11.8 and 11.9; adding the defini…
Previewing 3 of 7 citing cases — full citator treatment, depth of discussion, and citing context are member features.
Join FLexlaw to unlock all legal intelligenceAuthorities Cited
- In re Standard Jury Instructions IN Crim. Cases (NO. 2005-3), 969 So. 2d 245 (Fla. 2007)