Wake North Carolina Jury Instruction — Good Faith Reliance Upon Advice of Counsel is a legal instruction presented to jurors in Wake County, North Carolina, during a trial. This instruction pertains to the defense strategy of relying on the advice provided by legal counsel in good faith. When a defendant presents a Good Faith Reliance Upon Advice of Counsel defense, they argue that they should not be held responsible for an alleged crime because they genuinely believed their actions were legal based on the advice and guidance received from their attorney. This defense highlights the concept of trust and the important role attorneys play in guiding their clients through legal matters. Some possible types of Wake North Carolina Jury Instruction — Good Faith Reliance Upon Advice of Counsel include: 1. General Instruction: The general instruction informs the jury that a defendant may rely on the advice of their attorney in good faith. It emphasizes that if a defendant shows they genuinely believed their actions were legal based on the advice received, they should not be held responsible for the alleged crime. 2. Specific Instruction: A specific instruction may be provided when certain details of the case warrant additional guidance for the jury. This instruction could relate to particular aspects of the law, evidence, or circumstances specific to the case that are relevant to the defendant's reliance on advice from their attorney. 3. Instruction Echoing Legal Standards: This type of instruction references established legal standards such as due diligence, reasonableness, or the duty of an attorney to provide competent and accurate advice. It emphasizes that the defendant's reliance on counsel's advice must be reasonable and consistent with these standards. 4. Burden of Proof Instruction: An instruction related to the burden of proof may also be provided. It clarifies that it is the prosecution's responsibility to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant did not act in good faith reliance upon the advice of counsel. This instruction reinforces the importance of the defendant's belief in the legality of their actions. Overall, Wake North Carolina Jury Instruction — Good Faith Reliance Upon Advice of Counsel serves to guide jurors in understanding and evaluating the defense's assertion that the defendant's actions were justified due to their reliance on the advice provided by their legal counsel.