Minnesota Jury Instruction — DeliberatIgnorancenc— - As Proof Of Knowledge refers to a legal concept applied in Minnesota courts to prove a defendant's knowledge or intent in a criminal case. Deliberate ignorance, also known as willful blindness or conscious avoidance, occurs when a person intentionally avoids obtaining knowledge or information about a particular fact or situation. In Minnesota, there are several variations and instances where the instruction of deliberate ignorance can be given to the jury, depending on the circumstances of the case. Some different types of Minnesota Jury Instruction — DeliberatIgnorancenc— - As Proof Of Knowledge include: 1. General Deliberate Ignorance Instruction: This instruction is used when the defendant claims ignorance or lack of knowledge about a crucial fact or circumstance relevant to the case. The jury is instructed that if they find the defendant deliberately avoided obtaining knowledge, they may infer that the defendant had knowledge of the fact in question. 2. Knowledge of Illegal Substance: In cases involving drug crimes, the jury may receive specific instructions on deliberate ignorance as proof of knowledge. If the defendant asserts that they were unaware of the illegal substance's presence, the jury can be instructed to consider whether the defendant deliberately avoided learning about its presence, as this may imply their guilt. 3. Knowledge of Counterfeit Currency: If a defendant is charged with knowingly possessing or using counterfeit currency, the jury can be given deliberate ignorance instructions to determine whether the defendant intentionally avoided verifying the authenticity of the money. The presence of such deliberate avoidance can serve as evidence of the defendant's knowledge of the counterfeit nature of the currency. 4. Knowledge of Stolen Property: In cases involving stolen property, deliberate ignorance instructions may be provided to the jury when the defendant claims they were unaware that the item(s) in their possession were stolen. Deliberate acts of avoiding knowledge, such as refraining from asking questions about the origins or suspicious circumstances of the property, can indicate the defendant's knowledge of its stolen nature. It is important to note that deliberate ignorance instructions are only given to the jury when the prosecution presents evidence suggesting the defendant purposely avoided obtaining knowledge. The purpose of these instructions is to prevent defendants from avoiding criminal liability by purposefully turning a blind eye to illegal activities. In summary, Minnesota Jury Instruction — DeliberatIgnorancenc— - As Proof Of Knowledge encompasses various instructions given to the jury in criminal cases. These instructions help the jury evaluate whether a defendant deliberately avoided obtaining knowledge about a fact, circumstance, or the nature of the crime, and whether such avoidance implies their guilt or knowledge of the illegal activity.