Oregon Jury Instruction Aboutou— - Knowingly - Only When Willfulness or Specific Intent is Not an Element pertains to a specific legal instruction provided to the jury during criminal trials in the state of Oregon. This instruction is used when addressing cases where a defendant is charged with a crime that requires specific intent or willfulness as an essential element. When a crime involves willfulness or specific intent, the prosecution must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant intentionally committed the act with full awareness of its consequences. However, if specific intent or willfulness is not an element of the offense, this particular jury instruction, known as "On or about — Knowingly," will guide the jurors in reaching a fair and just verdict. The purpose of this instruction is to inform the jury that the state does not need to prove that the defendant acted willfully or with a specific intent, but rather that the defendant knowingly engaged in the alleged conduct. The phrase "on or about" is included to allow for some flexibility in determining the exact date of the offense, acknowledging that precise dates may be difficult to establish. While no variations of this instruction have been specifically mentioned, it may be modified based on the specific circumstances of a case. The jury instruction might be adapted to address different offenses, such as theft, drug possession, or assault, where specific intent or willfulness may not be required elements. During trial proceedings, the judge will provide this instruction to the jury, emphasizing that their duty is to determine whether the state has proven that the defendant knowingly committed the alleged act. It becomes the jurors' responsibility to carefully review the evidence presented, assess the defendant's state of mind, and determine their guilt or innocence based on the standard of "knowingly," rather than willfully or with specific intent. In summary, the Oregon Jury Instruction Aboutou— - Knowingly - Only When Willfulness or Specific Intent is Not an Element is a crucial legal guideline used in criminal trials to explain to the jury that the state does not need to prove specific intent or willfulness, but rather the defendant's knowing involvement in the alleged offense.