Contra Costa California Jury Instruction — Theft of Government Money or Property: In Contra Costa California, when an individual is accused of theft involving government money or property, specific jury instructions are provided to guide the members of the jury in understanding the legal elements of the case. These instructions outline the essential aspects that must be proven by the prosecution in order to establish the defendant's guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. Key Elements: — The defendant took, obtained, or withheld certain government money or property. — The defendant did so knowingly and willfully. — The government money or property had a value exceeding a specified threshold. — The defendant had the intent to permanently deprive the government of the use or benefit of the money or property. Different types of Contra Costa California Jury Instruction related to Theft of Government Money or Property: 1. Theft of Government Funds Instruction: This instruction applies when the defendant is accused of unlawfully taking, obtaining, or withholding government funds. It clarifies the specific elements that the prosecution must prove and the mental state required for conviction. 2. Theft of Government Property Instruction: When the government property, rather than money, is involved in the theft, this instruction is used. It outlines the necessary elements that the prosecution must establish to prove the offense beyond a reasonable doubt. 3. Value Threshold Instruction: In cases where the value of the government money or property is central to the charge, this instruction explains the predetermined monetary threshold that must be met for the offense of theft of government money or property to apply. 4. Intent to Permanently Deprive Instruction: To convict the defendant of theft of government money or property, it must be proven that the defendant had the intent to permanently deprive the government of the use or benefit of the money or property. This instruction explains the significance of the defendant's intent in establishing guilt. These specific jury instructions help ensure that the jury carefully considers the evidence presented during the trial and accurately applies the law to determine the defendant's guilt or innocence. They provide a clear framework to evaluate whether the defendant's actions meet the criteria for theft of government money or property, ensuring a fair and just trial process.