Travis Texas Jury Instruction — Theft Of Government Money Or Property is a crucial legal guideline that provides instructions to the jury on the specific elements and considerations in cases involving the theft of government money or property. This instruction ensures that the jury understands the legal requirements that must be met for a conviction in such cases. Here are some key aspects associated with this instruction: 1. Definitions: The instruction begins by defining the essential terms related to theft, government money, and government property. It clarifies that government money refers to funds in the possession, custody, or control of any governmental agency, while government property extends to tangible and intangible assets owned or controlled by the government. 2. Intent: The instruction highlights the significance of proving intent in theft cases involving government money or property. It explains that the prosecution must demonstrate beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant intentionally (willfully) took, obtained, or used the government money or property without lawful authority. 3. Ownership or Custody: The instruction emphasizes that for a theft charge to be valid, the government must have ownership or lawful custody of the money or property. It further illustrates that even if the government's right or title to the money or property is limited or contested, it still qualifies if the defendant knows of this limitation. 4. Value: In theft cases, the instruction clarifies that the prosecution must establish the value of the government money or property alleged to have been stolen. It specifies that the value should be the fair market value or the amount the government is shown to have expended to obtain it. 5. Public Servant: The instruction addresses theft cases involving public servants who have access to government money or property. It explains that public servants have a higher duty of care and trust when handling government resources, and any unauthorized taking, use, or transfer constitutes theft. 6. Different Types: Although there is no indication of distinct variants of this specific instruction, multiple versions might exist to accommodate differences in statutory provisions, case precedents, or specific government agencies involved. Overall, the Travis Texas Jury Instruction — Theft Of Government Money Or Property guides the jury through the essential elements required to establish theft offenses concerning government money or property. It ensures that the jury has a comprehensive understanding of the legal criteria to reach a fair and just verdict in such cases.