Maryland Jury Instruction — 1.1.1 Public Employee First Amendment Claim Discharge — Failure To Promote Free Speech On Matter Of Public Concern Public employees in Maryland enjoy certain First Amendment rights, including the right to free speech on matters of public concern. This specific jury instruction, 1.1.1, addresses a claim made by a public employee who alleges that their discharge was a result of their employer's failure to promote or protect this free speech right. Under this jury instruction, the plaintiff must prove several elements to establish a successful claim. These elements may include: 1. Public Employee: The plaintiff must demonstrate that they were indeed a public employee at the time of the alleged discharge. This usually refers to individuals employed by government entities or agencies. 2. Free Speech: The plaintiff needs to show that their speech was protected by the First Amendment. It should involve a matter of public concern that affects the community or relates to public affairs. 3. Discharge: The plaintiff must establish that they suffered adverse employment action, such as termination, as a result of their employer's actions or inaction. 4. Failure to Promote or Protect: The plaintiff needs to prove that their employer failed to promote or protect their free speech rights on the matter of public concern. This can include actions such as restricting or censoring speech, creating a hostile work environment, or retaliating against the employee for exercising their constitutional rights. It's crucial to note that the specific categorization of Maryland Jury Instruction 1.1.1 may vary based on court rules and jury instructions used in different jurisdictions. However, the general principles and elements relating to public employee First Amendment claims remain consistent. Other potential types of Maryland Jury Instructions related to public employee First Amendment claims could include: — 1.1.2: Public Employee First Amendment Claim Discharge — Retaliation For PoliticaAffiliationio— - 1.1.3: Public Employee First Amendment Claim Discharge — Retaliation For Criticizing Government Policies — 1.1.4: Public Employee First Amendment Claim Discharge — Retaliation For Exercising The Right To Petition The Government These jury instructions would address different scenarios or causes of action within the broader context of public employee First Amendment claims. Each instruction would outline the specific elements the plaintiff must prove to succeed in their claim.