Wake North Carolina Jury Instruction — 3.2 Civil Theft is a legal instruction provided to jurors during civil trials in Wake County, North Carolina. This instruction specifically addresses cases involving allegations of civil theft, which is the unauthorized taking of another person's property or money. Civil theft occurs when one party unlawfully takes or misappropriates another party's belongings or assets without their consent. These actions may involve theft of physical property, such as vehicles, jewelry, or electronics, or intangible assets like money, intellectual property, or trade secrets. The Wake North Carolina Jury Instruction — 3.2 Civil Theft aims to guide jurors in understanding the elements necessary to establish civil theft and the burden of proof required for a successful claim. While specific instructions may vary, the instruction generally covers the following components: 1. Unauthorized Taking: This instruction explains that civil theft requires proof that the defendant intentionally and unlawfully took possession or control of the plaintiff's property without permission or lawful justification. 2. Property Ownership: The instruction instructs jurors to consider whether the plaintiff had legal ownership or a lawful right to possess the property at the time of the alleged theft. It may also address situations where the plaintiff had joint ownership or partial interest in the property. 3. Intent: Jurors are instructed to assess whether the defendant acted with the intent to permanently deprive the plaintiff of their property or to unlawfully benefit themselves. 4. Knowing or Willful Conduct: This instruction may highlight that civil theft requires the defendant to have knowledge of their wrongful actions or to have willfully participated in the unlawful taking. 5. Conversion: In some cases, the instruction may explain that civil theft can be established by proving that the defendant converted the plaintiff's property, meaning they exercised control over it in a manner inconsistent with the plaintiff's rights. Different types of Wake North Carolina Jury Instruction — 3.2 Civil Theft may exist depending on the context and specific elements involved in a particular case. However, the core focus remains on proving unauthorized taking, ownership rights, intent, knowing/willful conduct, and conversion. It is important for jurors to carefully evaluate the evidence presented during the trial to determine whether the plaintiff has successfully proven civil theft. The instruction's purpose is to ensure fairness in the legal proceedings and provide jurors with guidelines to assess the validity of the plaintiff's claim.