District of Columbia Jury Instruction — Assaulting A Federal Office— - With Use Of A Deadly Weapon or Inflicting Bodily Injury In the District of Columbia, the criminal offense of Assaulting A Federal Officer — With Use Of A Deadly Weapon or Inflicting Bodily Injury is a serious offense that carries severe consequences. This jury instruction serves as a guide for jurors in understanding the elements that the prosecution must prove beyond a reasonable doubt. It is important for both the jurors and the accused to fully comprehend this instruction to ensure a fair trial. Assaulting a federal officer involves intentionally causing bodily harm or injury to a federal officer while carrying, brandishing, or using a deadly weapon. This offense is specifically targeted towards individuals who assault or harm those who serve and protect the federal government, such as law enforcement officers, federal agents, or other federal employees working in an official capacity. There may be different variations of this jury instruction based on the specific circumstances of the case. Some potential variations may include: 1. Assaulting A Federal Officer — With Use Of A Deadly Weapon: This instruction focuses on cases where the defendant intentionally causes bodily harm or injury to a federal officer by using a deadly weapon. A deadly weapon can be any object or instrumentality that is capable of inflicting death or serious bodily injury. 2. Assaulting A Federal Officer — Inflicting Bodily Injury: This instruction is applicable when the defendant intentionally inflicts bodily harm or injury upon a federal officer without the use of a deadly weapon. The defendant's actions must still cause harm to the federal officer, but the absence of a deadly weapon differentiates this variation from the previous one. To convict a defendant of Assaulting A Federal Officer — With Use Of A Deadly Weapon or Inflicting Bodily Injury, the prosecution must prove the following elements: 1. The defendant willfully and intentionally engaged in an act of physical force or violence against a federal officer. 2. The federal officer was acting within their official duties at the time of the assault. 3. The defendant had the specific intent to cause bodily harm or injury to the federal officer. 4. The defendant used a deadly weapon during the assault OR inflicted bodily injury upon the federal officer. If the jury finds that all the elements have been proven beyond a reasonable doubt, they should consider the defendant guilty of Assaulting A Federal Officer — With Use Of A Deadly Weapon or Inflicting Bodily Injury. However, if any element remains in doubt, the jury must acquit the defendant. It is crucial for jurors to remain impartial and base their final decision solely on the evidence presented during the trial, as well as the instructions given by the court. Understanding the complexities of this jury instruction ensures a fair evaluation of the accused's actions and potential consequences.