Vermont Jury Instruction Aboutou— - Knowingly - Only When Willfulness or Specific Intent is Not an Element is a legal guideline provided to juries in Vermont courtrooms. This instruction serves to clarify the circumstances under which the requirement of proving willfulness or specific intent does not apply, and how the concept of "knowingly" should be understood in such cases. The instruction can be broken down into several key components and variations, including: 1. Vermont Jury Instruction — On or about: This part of the instruction refers to the time frame within which the alleged offense or action took place. It emphasizes that the exact date is not the crucial factor, and the action could have occurred on or around the specified date. For example, if the charge is possession of a controlled substance "on or about September 1st," the instruction would indicate that the prosecution does not need to provide evidence of the exact date, but rather the offense occurred sometime around that period. 2. Knowingly: The term "knowingly" plays a pivotal role in criminal cases. It pertains to the mental state of the defendant when they committed the act in question. The instruction aims to explain to the jury that the defendant may be held responsible for their actions if they were aware of and conscious about the nature of their conduct. 3. Only When Willfulness or Specific Intent is Not an Element: This part of the instruction clarifies that if the offense does not require proving a specific intent or willfulness as an essential element, the defendant's knowledge and awareness become central in determining their guilt or innocence. For instance, in a case involving the possession of a controlled substance, if the charge does not necessitate proving that the defendant intentionally possessed it, the instruction helps the jury understand that the mere knowledge of possession is enough for them to convict the defendant. Overall, the Vermont Jury Instruction Aboutou— - Knowingly - Only When Willfulness or Specific Intent is Not an Element provides a comprehensive framework for juries to consider the appropriate level of intent needed to establish guilt in a given case, particularly when willfulness or specific intent is not an inherent element of the offense at hand. It is important to note that these instructions may have different variations to accommodate the unique circumstances of each case. As such, jurors must closely follow the instruction provided in their specific case, as these instructions can vary significantly depending on the charge and the evidence presented during the trial.