Chicago Illinois Jury Instruction — Good Faith Reliance Upon Advice of Counsel is a legal instruction used in the Chicago, Illinois courts to guide the jury in assessing the defense of good faith reliance upon advice of counsel in a criminal case. This instruction highlights the importance of an individual's reliance on the advice of their legal counsel in determining their state of mind and their intention behind committing the alleged offense. The purpose of this instruction is to establish that if a defendant reasonably relied in good faith upon the advice of competent legal counsel, they may be excused for their actions if it negates the required element of willfulness or intent in the crime they are charged with. It is crucial for the jury to understand that this defense requires the defendant to prove that they took reasonable steps to seek legal advice, disclosed all relevant information, and acted in accordance with the counsel received. Different types of Chicago Illinois Jury Instruction — Good Faith Reliance Upon Advice of Counsel may include: 1. General Instruction: This instruction provides a broad overview of the defense of good faith reliance upon advice of counsel, explaining the essential elements and the burden of proof resting on the defendant to establish this defense. 2. Specific Intent Crimes: Chicago Illinois Jury Instruction — Good Faith Reliance Upon Advice of Counsel for specific intent crimes focuses on cases where intent is a crucial element. It explains how a defendant's reliance on advice of counsel can negate the required specific intent element, making them not guilty of the crime. 3. Knowledge or Willfulness Crimes: This type of instruction is used in cases where the defendant's knowledge or willfulness in committing the offense is at issue. It illustrates how a defendant's good faith reliance upon advice of counsel can rebut the prosecution's claim of knowledge or willfulness. 4. Lesser Included Offense: In some cases, the defense may argue that the defendant should be found guilty of a lesser included offense, rather than the main charged offense. In these instances, the instruction for good faith reliance upon advice of counsel may be modified to align with the specific elements of the lesser included offense. It is important for the jury to carefully consider the evidence presented, including the defendant's actions and the credibility of their claimed reliance upon advice of counsel. The judge will provide the jury with appropriate instructions and guidelines to determine whether the defense of good faith reliance upon advice of counsel is valid in a given case.