Wake North Carolina Jury Instruction — Possession Of Firearm Having Altered Or Obliterated Serial Number is a legal instruction provided to jurors in the state of North Carolina when a case involves the possession of a firearm with an altered or obliterated serial number. This instruction guides the jurors in understanding the specific elements of the offense and the burden of proof required for a conviction. Keywords: Wake North Carolina, jury instruction, possession of firearm, altered or obliterated serial number, legal instruction, jurors, North Carolina, offense, burden of proof, conviction. There are no specific types or variations of this jury instruction. However, the following description provides an overview of what this instruction entails: In cases where a person is charged with the possession of a firearm with an altered or obliterated serial number in Wake, North Carolina, the jury receives a specific instruction to help them navigate the legal aspects of the offense. This instruction outlines the elements that the prosecution must prove beyond a reasonable doubt in a conviction to occur. The first element the jury needs to consider is whether the defendant was in possession of a firearm. The jury must evaluate the evidence presented and determine if the defendant had actual or constructive possession of the firearm. Actual possession refers to physical control, whereas constructive possession implies knowing and intentional control over the firearm, even if it is not physically on their person. The second element pertains to the serial number of the firearm. The jury must establish whether the serial number on the firearm was altered or obliterated. This includes any intentional tampering, removal, destruction, or alteration of the serial number that would make it illegible or difficult to trace. The prosecution bears the burden of proving all the elements of the offense beyond a reasonable doubt. This means that the jurors must have a firm conviction based on the evidence presented that the defendant did possess a firearm with an altered or obliterated serial number. If the jurors have any reasonable doubts about the defendant's guilt, they must acquit. It's important to note that this jury instruction does not explicitly address any potential defenses or legal exceptions that the defendant could raise. Those would be covered separately in other instructions or arguments made by the defense counsel. In summary, the Wake North Carolina Jury Instruction — Possession Of Firearm Having Altered Or Obliterated Serial Number provides guidance to jurors in cases where someone is charged with possessing a firearm with an altered or obliterated serial number. The instruction outlines the necessary elements of the offense and the burden of proof, allowing the jury to consider the evidence and determine the defendant's guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.