Maine Jury Instruction — Pinkerton Instruction: An In-depth Explanation The Maine Jury Instruction — Pinkerton Instruction is a legal guideline that plays a crucial role in criminal law cases within the state of Maine. This instruction is derived from the Pinkerton doctrine, which holds individuals accountable for the foreseeable criminal acts committed by their co-conspirators. The Pinkerton Instruction helps the jury understand the liability attributed to a defendant for acts committed by others in furtherance of the conspiracy. The Pinkerton Instruction, based on the landmark United States Supreme Court case United States v. Pinkerton, is designed to address situations where multiple individuals are involved in a criminal conspiracy or joint venture. It recognizes the principle that each participant in the conspiracy is responsible for any crime committed by their co-conspirators, as long as those crimes were foreseeable and within the scope of the conspiracy. Under the Pinkerton Instruction, if the jury finds a defendant guilty of conspiracy, they can also be held responsible for any reasonably foreseeable offenses committed by their co-conspirators during the course of the conspiracy. This includes crimes that were planned or executed by others involved in the conspiracy, even if the defendant did not personally participate in those specific acts. There are different types of Pinkerton Instructions used in Maine, depending on the specific circumstances of the case. Some of these variations include: 1. Standard Pinkerton Instruction: This instruction is used when the defendant is charged with both conspiracy and the substantive offense. It informs the jury that if they find the defendant guilty of conspiracy, they must also determine if the substantive offense was reasonably foreseeable and within the scope of the conspiracy. 2. Pinkerton Instruction for Unplanned Offenses: In cases where the co-conspirator commits an unplanned offense, this instruction is used to guide the jury. It emphasizes that the defendant can still be held liable if the crime committed was a natural and probable consequence of the conspiracy, even if it was not part of the initial plan. 3. Pinkerton Instruction for Withdrawn Conspirator: When a defendant has withdrawn from the conspiracy, a specific Pinkerton Instruction is given. It explains that the defendant can only be held responsible for crimes committed by co-conspirators after their withdrawal if the subsequent offenses were foreseeable and within the scope of the original conspiracy. By implementing different variations of Pinkerton Instructions, Maine's legal system ensures a fair and comprehensive evaluation of defendants' liability in conspiracy cases. These instructions guide the jury in determining the extent of accountability for a defendant and safeguard the fairness and integrity of the criminal justice system.