Maine Jury Instruction — Making Threats By Mail Or Telephone is a legal instruction that provides guidance to the jury during criminal trials involving threats made through mail or telephone communication. It outlines the elements the prosecution must prove beyond a reasonable doubt and defines the actions that constitute making threats by mail or telephone. Key elements covered in this instruction include: 1. Communication: The instruction clarifies that the act of making threats may involve any form of communication, such as letters, emails, text messages, or telephone calls. 2. Intentional Threats: The instruction emphasizes that for the defendant to be found guilty, it must be established that they intentionally made threats. Mere careless or unintentional statements do not qualify as threats. 3. Reasonable Fear: The instruction instructs the jury that the threats made by the defendant must have put the recipient in reasonable fear for their own safety or the safety of their loved ones. 4. Credibility of the Threat: The instruction explains that the prosecution must demonstrate that the threats were believable and credible, causing a reasonable person to be genuinely concerned for their safety. 5. Specific Intent: The instruction clarifies that the prosecution must prove that the defendant intended for their communication to be perceived as a true threat. If they were merely joking, venting, or expressing frustration, it may not meet the criteria for a true threat. Different variations of Maine Jury Instruction — Making Threats By Mail Or Telephone may include variations in the required level of proof or specific legal definitions. For example, some variations might require the prosecution to prove that the threats were sent with intent to intimidate or to disrupt public order. Other variations may address threats made specifically to public officials or government entities, imposing additional penalties or higher standards of proof. In summary, the Maine Jury Instruction — Making Threats By Mail Or Telephone provides a comprehensive guideline for the jury to assess whether the defendant's actions qualify as threats made through mail or telephone communication. By considering the elements of communication, intention, reasonable fear, credibility, and specific intent, the jury can determine whether the defendant should be found guilty or not.