Mecklenburg North Carolina Jury Instruction — 1.1.1 Public Employee First Amendment Claim Discharge — Failure To Promote Free Speech On Matter Of Public Concern is a specific instruction given to juries in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina. This instruction pertains to cases involving public employees who claim they have been discharged from their position due to the employer's failure to promote free speech on a matter of public concern. Public employees, such as government workers, have rights protected by the First Amendment of the United States Constitution. These rights include the freedom of speech, which allows individuals to express their opinions and ideas without government interference. However, public employees face certain limitations and considerations due to the nature of their employment. When a public employee claims that they were discharged from their position due to the employer's failure to promote free speech on a matter of public concern, this jury instruction addresses the legal elements and considerations that the jury must evaluate. The instruction typically includes: 1. Public Employee Status: The instruction clarifies that the plaintiff (the employee) must be deemed a public employee by evaluating the nature and characteristics of their employment under North Carolina law. 2. First Amendment Protection: This instruction highlights the First Amendment rights of public employees and the protection it provides for speech on matters of public concern. The jury must ensure that the employee's speech involved a public concern rather than a personal matter. 3. Balancing of Interests: The instruction emphasizes the need to balance the employee's First Amendment rights with the employer's legitimate interests as an employer of public servants. The jury must evaluate whether the employer's interests outweigh the employee's rights in the specific circumstances of the case. 4. Causation: The instruction also addresses the requirement of causation, meaning that the employee must establish a causal link between their speech on a matter of public concern and their discharge. The jury must determine if the discharge was a direct result of the employer's failure to promote free speech. There may not be different types of Mecklenburg North Carolina Jury Instruction — 1.1.1 Public Employee First Amendment Claim Discharge — Failure To Promote Free Speech On Matter Of Public Concern. However, variations of this instruction might exist depending on specific facts and circumstances of individual cases. It is essential to consult the most recent version of the instruction and any updates or modifications made by the relevant court.