Florida’s criminal defense lawyers may wish to take a moment to review the latest round of Standard Jury Instruction amendments issued by the Florida Supreme Court for criminal cases.  Dated February 9, 2012, the amended instructions address questions by the jury (number 2.13); Williams rule evidence (number 3.8(a)); the rules for deliberation (number 3.10); trespass (numbers 13.3, 13.4); organized fraud (number 14.8); contributing to the dependency of a child-impregnating a person under age 16 by a person 21 or older (number 16.4(a)); and, promoting or performing obscene acts (number 24.6).

The criminal defense attorneys of South Florida may wish to take particular note of the changes to the boating under the influence instructions.  Instructions numbered 28.14, 28.15, 28.16, and 28.17, which address general boating under the influence, boating under the influence causing property damage or injury, felony boating under the influence, and boating under the influence causing serious bodily injury, have all been amended.

I suppose the criminal defense attorneys in the Florida panhandle may want to take a look at the amended instruction on taking wild deer or turkey with a gun and light (number 29.14).  I can’t say I’ve ever even heard of that one!

Happy Valentine’s Day, South Florida!