A jury instruction is the judge's oral explanation of the law governing a case. Jury instructions are given after the attorneys have presented all the evidence and have made final arguments, but before the jury begins deliberations. Improper explanations of the law to be applied in jury instructions are often the basis for later appeals.
Washington Instruction to Jury that Intent is not an Essential Element of Conversion is a legal guideline that outlines the specific circumstances under which intent does not play a pivotal role in proving a conversion case. Conversion refers to an act of wrongfully taking, using, or interfering with someone else's property without their consent. In Washington State, there are several types of the Instruction to Jury that Intent is not an Essential Element of Conversion, including: 1. General Instruction: This type of instruction lays out the basic premise that intent is not a necessary factor to establish conversion. It highlights that even if the defendant did not have the intent to permanently deprive the owner of their property, they can still be held liable for conversion if they wrongfully exercised control over it. 2. Innocent Conversion Instruction: This instruction further elaborates on situations where a defendant may unknowingly or innocently convert someone else's property. It emphasizes that even if the defendant did not have any intent to convert or cause damage, they can still be held accountable for conversion if their actions were reckless, negligent, or without lawful justification. 3. Conversion by mistake Instruction: This specific instruction deals with cases where a defendant mistakenly takes or uses someone else's property believing it to be their own. It highlights that even if the defendant lacked intent to convert, they can still be found guilty of conversion if they failed to take reasonable steps to rectify the mistake or return the property promptly. 4. Conversion through unauthorized borrowing Instruction: This instruction pertains to situations where a defendant borrowed someone else's property without their consent, intending to return it later. It clarifies that the lack of intent to permanently deprive the owner of their property does not absolve the defendant of their liability for conversion. Overall, these instructions emphasize that intent is not the sole determining factor when establishing conversion in Washington State. Instead, they provide guidance to the jury, stating that even without intent to permanently deprive or an awareness of wrongdoing, a defendant can still be held responsible for conversion if they wrongfully exercise control over someone else's property.
