Indiana Jury Instruction — Pinkerton Instruction is a legal guideline given to jurors in Indiana to explain the concept of Pinkerton liability. Pinkerton's liability refers to the doctrine that holds co-conspirators criminally liable for the reasonably foreseeable acts committed by other members of the conspiracy, even if they did not personally commit the acts themselves. The purpose of the Pinkerton Instruction is to help jurors understand the principles and standards in determining criminal liability based on the actions of co-conspirators. It is an essential tool for judges to ensure the jury has a clear understanding of the law and can make an informed decision regarding the guilt or innocence of the defendants. The Pinkerton Instruction encompasses a set of guidelines that outline the requirements and conditions for holding a defendant liable for the offenses committed by other members of the conspiracy. It covers the following key elements: 1. Conspiracy: Jurors are instructed to determine whether a conspiracy existed, meaning that the defendant and one or more individuals agreed to commit a criminal act. Proof of a conspiratorial agreement is important in establishing Pinkerton liability. 2. Reasonable Foreseeability: The Pinkerton Instruction emphasizes that a defendant may be held responsible for the criminal acts committed by co-conspirators if those acts were reasonably foreseeable. Jurors are asked to consider whether the acts were within the scope of the conspiracy and reasonably expected to occur during the course of the conspiracy. 3. Knowledge and Participation: Jurors are instructed to assess whether the defendant had knowledge of the unlawful objectives of the conspiracy and willfully participated in the conspiracy. Mere association or presence at the scene of the crime is not sufficient to establish Pinkerton liability. It is worth noting that there are no specific types of Pinkerton Instructions in Indiana. The concept of Pinkerton liability and its associated instructions are generally applied across various criminal cases involving conspiracy, ranging from drug trafficking to white-collar crimes. In conclusion, the Indiana Jury Instruction — Pinkerton Instruction provides clarity to jurors regarding the principles of Pinkerton liability and assists them in determining the culpability of defendants in conspiracy cases. It emphasizes the requirement of a conspiratorial agreement, reasonable foreseeability of co-conspirator acts, and the defendant's knowledge and participation in the conspiracy.