Tennessee Jury Instruction — Presenting or Using a False Claim in a Bankruptcy Proceeding: Detailed Description and Types In Tennessee, presenting or using a false claim in a bankruptcy proceeding is an illegal act that undermines the integrity of the bankruptcy system. To ensure clarity and fairness during trials involving such cases, the Tennessee jury instruction on presenting or using a false claim in a bankruptcy proceeding provides specific guidance to jurors. This jury instruction aims to educate jurors about the elements necessary to prove a false claim and the implications of such actions in a bankruptcy case. The instruction typically includes the following aspects: 1. False Claim Definition: The instruction outlines that a false claim is a submission of a claim against a bankruptcy estate that contains false information, misrepresentations, or omissions intended to deceive the court, the trustee, or other parties involved. 2. Required Intent: Jurors are informed that to prove the charge of presenting or using a false claim, the prosecution must demonstrate that the defendant acted willfully and with intent to deceive or defraud the bankruptcy court. 3. Materiality of False Information: Jurors are instructed to consider whether the false information presented in the claim influenced the decision-making process of the court or any other party involved in the bankruptcy proceeding. It emphasizes that the false information must be material to the case to establish the charge. 4. Knowledge of Falsehood: The jury instruction highlights that the prosecution must establish that the defendant had knowledge of the false information or claim's falsity when it was presented or used in the bankruptcy proceeding. 5. Impact on the Bankruptcy Process: Jurors are advised to consider the adverse effects of presenting or using false claims in the bankruptcy process, such as hindering the efficient administration of the estate, potentially preventing legitimate creditors from receiving proper distributions, or increasing costs for the court and creditors. Different Types of Tennessee Jury Instructions — Presenting or Using a False Claim in a Bankruptcy Proceeding: 1. Type 1: Presenting a False Claim: This instruction focuses on cases where an individual or entity knowingly submits a claim to a bankruptcy court, trustee, or creditors that includes false information, misrepresentations, or significant omissions. 2. Type 2: Using a False Claim: This instruction pertains to cases where the defendant knowingly uses a false claim, which they may or may not have personally presented, as evidence during a bankruptcy proceeding, such as to support their own claims or dispute the claims of others. 3. Type 3: Conspiracy to Present or Use False Claims: This instruction addresses cases where individuals or entities conspire together to present or use false claims in a bankruptcy proceeding. The instruction typically outlines the elements required to establish the charge of conspiracy and the share of responsibility among the involved parties. Overall, the Tennessee jury instruction on presenting or using a false claim in a bankruptcy proceeding serves as a crucial tool to educate jurors about the complexities and potential consequences of these actions. It ensures that accurate and fair judgments are made in cases involving the integrity of the bankruptcy system.