Chicago Illinois Jury Instruction — Mail Fraud is a comprehensive set of legal guidelines provided to a jury during a trial involving mail fraud charges in the state of Illinois, specifically in the city of Chicago. These instructions explain the elements of the crime and help the jury understand what constitutes mail fraud and how to evaluate the evidence presented before them. Mail fraud is a federal offense that involves using the United States Postal Service (USPS) or any interstate mail carrier to defraud individuals or organizations. It usually involves the unlawful scheme of obtaining money, property, or services through false pretenses or misrepresentations. There are several types of Chicago Illinois Jury Instruction — Mail Fraud instructions that may be given to a jury, depending on the specific circumstances of the case. These instructions include: 1. Elements of Mail Fraud: This instruction explains the essential elements that the prosecution must prove beyond a reasonable doubt in the defendant to be convicted of mail fraud. It includes elements such as the intent to defraud, use of the mail in furtherance of the scheme, and the existence of a scheme to defraud. 2. Materiality: This instruction clarifies the requirement of materiality, highlighting that the scheme or representation used in the commission of mail fraud must be capable of influencing the victim's decision-making process. The jury must determine if the alleged misrepresentations or false pretenses were material to the victim's actions. 3. Reasonable Expectation of Use of Mail: This instruction addresses the use of the mail in committing the fraud. The jury will analyze whether the defendant had a reasonable expectation that the mail would be used as part of the fraudulent scheme, regardless of whether the defendant physically mailed anything themselves. 4. Scheme to Defraud: This instruction outlines what constitutes a scheme to defraud and is an essential component of a mail fraud charge. The jury will examine if the defendant intentionally devised or participated in a plan to deceive others for financial gain. 5. Knowledge of Fraudulent Intent: This instruction emphasizes that for a person to be guilty of mail fraud, they must possess knowledge of the fraudulent intent inherent in the scheme they are participating in or promoting. 6. Causation and Relationship to the Mails: This instruction explains the requirement that there must be a causal relationship between the defendant's use of the mail and the success or attempted success of the fraudulent scheme. The jury needs to determine whether the use of the mail was integral to the execution of the fraud. These instructions are critical in ensuring that the jurors have a thorough understanding of the legal standards in a mail fraud case specific to Chicago, Illinois. It helps them evaluate the evidence presented and reach a fair and impartial verdict whether the defendant is guilty or not.