7th Circuit seeking public comment on jury instructions

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The 7th Circuit Court of Appeals is seeking public comment on proposed revisions to criminal pattern jury instructions.

Proposed revisions are submitted for public feedback by the 7th Circuit Pattern Criminal Jury Instruction Committee.

Among the 25 proposed revised instructions, six proposed instructions are entirely new, including the addition of 6.09(B) Diminished Capacity, which would allow a criminal jury to consider evidence of a defendant’s mental disorder at the time an offense was committed in determining whether the defendant was capable of committing the crime.

Other newly proposed instructions include the addition of 18 U.S.C. § 201, official act; 18 U.S.C. § 1111 first- and second-degree murder — elements; 18 U.S.C. § 1112 voluntary manslaughter — elements; 18 U.S.C. § 1951, sex trafficking of a minor or by force, fraud, or coercion; and 18 U.S.C. § 1959(a), violent crimes in aid of racketeering activity.

The full list of proposed revisions can be read here.

Those interested in providing public comment have until Nov. 20 to send their feedback on the proposed revisions. Comments must be submitted via email to [email protected] with the subject line, Pattern Jury Instruction Comment.

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