Texas Jury Instruction — Making Threats By Mail or Telephone is a legal guideline provided to juries in Texas that outlines the elements and consequences of making threats through the use of mail or telephone. This instruction helps the jury understand the specific unlawful actions related to this offense and provides guidance on how to assess guilt or innocence in a given case. Keywords: Texas, jury instruction, making threats, mail, telephone, legal guideline, elements, consequences, unlawful actions, guilt, innocence. Different types of Texas Jury Instruction — Making Threats By Mail or Telephone could be: 1. Specific Intent to Threaten: This instruction focuses on the element of specific intent required for a conviction in cases where the defendant intentionally sends threatening messages through mail or telephone, knowing the potential harm it may cause. 2. Communication of Credible Threats: This instruction relates to cases where the prosecution must prove that the threats made through mail or telephone were credible and created a reasonable fear of harm in the recipient. It helps the jury evaluate the nature and severity of the threat. 3. Federal Jurisdiction: In certain cases, the offense of making threats by mail or telephone may fall under federal jurisdiction. This instruction would explain the differences between state and federal statutes and outline the criteria for determining whether the case should be tried at state or federal level. 4. Enhanced Penalties: This instruction addresses situations where the defendant has a prior criminal record or committed the offense against specific individuals or entities, such as public officials or government agencies. It outlines the potential enhanced penalties that may be imposed based on these aggravating factors. 5. First Amendment Considerations: This instruction focuses on the delicate balance between freedom of speech and the prohibition of threatening communications. It helps the jury understand the limits imposed by the First Amendment and guides them in determining if a particular communication crosses the line into criminal conduct. By providing these various instructions, Texas ensures that juries can accurately assess each case involving threats made by mail or telephone, considering different elements and circumstances that may affect the outcome of the trial.