MANSLAUGHTER IN COURSE OF ELUDING AN OFFICER
(N.J.S.A. 2C:11-4a(2)) model jury charge
The defendant is charged in count with manslaughter in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:11-4a(2). The indictment reads in pertinent part as follows:
(Read indictment or appropriate count, if indictment contains more than one count.)1
The
State contends that on (date), while committing the crime of fleeing
[or attempting to elude] a law enforcement officer, defendant caused the
death of [insert victims name].
The section of the statute applicable to this case reads in pertinent part as follows:
Criminal homicide constitutes manslaughter when:
The actor causes the death of another person while fleeing or attempting to elude a law enforcement officer.
It does not matter that the act which caused death was committed recklessly, or unintentionally or accidentally.
In
order for you to find the defendant guilty of manslaughter, the State
is required to prove beyond a reasonable doubt, from all the evidence in
the case, all of the essential elements of the crime charged.
Accordingly, before you can find the defendant guilty of manslaughter,
the State must prove beyond a reasonable doubt:
1. That on or about [insert date] the defendant was engaged in the crime of fleeing [or attempting to elude] a law enforcement officer.2
1 It
is assumed that the indictment would contain a separate count charging
defendant with the predicate crime of eluding an officer.
2 If
the facts indicate an attempted crime, see appropriate charge on
attempt elsewhere herein and modify to the extent necessary. And if
defendants involvement was or may have been as an accomplice (N.J.S.A. 2C:2-6), see appropriate charges elsewhere herein including, if also applicable, the defense of renunciation (N.J.S.A. 2C:2-6(e)). MANSLAUGHTER IN COURSE OF ELUDING AN OFFICER N.J.S.A. 2C:11-4a(2) Page 2 of 4
3 State v. Martin, 119 N.J. 2, 11, 19-34 (1990).
2. That the death of [name of victim] was caused by the defendant.
3 That the death of [name of victim) was caused at some time within the course of the defendants flight [or attempt to elude] the law enforcement officer.
The
first element requires the State to prove beyond a reasonable doubt
that the defendant was engaged in the crime of eluding by fleeing [or
attempting to elude] a law enforcement officer in violation of the
criminal code.
[Charge elements of eluding an officer, N.J.S.A. 2C:29-2b, if not previously charged.
See Model Charge.]
OR
[I have already instructed you on the elements of the crime of eluding an officer.]
The
second and third elements require the State to establish that the
victims death was caused by the defendant and was caused during the
commission of the crime of eluding. In order to meet its burden of proof
as to the second and third elements, the State must prove beyond a
reasonable doubt the following:
1.
That, but for defendants conduct in the commission of the crime of
eluding, the victim would not have died. In other words, that the
victims death would not have occurred without the commission of the
crime of eluding.3
2. That the victims death was a probable consequence of the commission of MANSLAUGHTER IN COURSE OF ELUDING AN OFFICER N.J.S.A. 2C:11-4a(2) Page 3 of 4
4 The
fact that a police officers pursuit of the defendant may be the direct
cause of the victims death does not necessarily mean that the statute is
inapplicable. If the evidence may support such a theory, the court
should give a fact-specific causation charge as contemplated in State v. Martin, 119 N.J. at 16-18.
5 Where
divergent factual versions give rise to different theories of
causation, the trial court must provide the jury with appropriate
instructions to apply, depending on which version it chooses to accept.
Thus, in appropriate cases the court must fashion its charge to instruct
the jury how to deal with the defendants (as well as with the States)
factual contentions. Martin, 119 N.J. at 16-18.
6 State v. Pelham, 176 N.J. 44, 455-456 and n. 2 (2003).
the crime of eluding.4 In
order for the death to be a probable consequence of the crime of
eluding, the death must not have been too remote, or too accidental in
its occurrence, or too dependent on anothers volitional acts to have a
just bearing on the defendants liability or the gravity of his offense.
In other words, you must decide if the State has proven beyond a
reasonable doubt that, under all the circumstances, the death did not
occur in such an unexpected or unusual manner that it would be unjust to
find the defendant responsible for the death.5
[NOTE: In cases where Causation - Removal of Life Support is an issue, the jury should be instructed as follows:
You have heard testimony that on [date], (insert victims name) was
taken off life support and that he/she died at some point after this
was done. Should you find beyond a reasonable doubt that (insert victims name) died
from medical complications that resulted from injuries caused by
defendants actions, the removal of life support, in this case (method of
removal), is not an intervening cause that relieves defendant of any
criminal liability for those actions.6 That is, if defendants actions set in motion (insert victims name) need for life MANSLAUGHTER IN COURSE OF ELUDING AN OFFICER N.J.S.A. 2C:11-4a(2) Page 4 of 4
7 Pelham, 176 N.J. at 467.
support, without which death would result naturally, then the causal link between defendants action and the death of (insert victims name) was not broken by an unforeseen, extraordinary act when (insert victims name) was removed from life support and then expired, unless there was an intervening volitional act of another.]7
[CHARGE IN ALL CASES]
In
conclusion, you must decide whether, after a consideration of all the
evidence, that the State has proven to your satisfaction beyond a
reasonable doubt each of these elements, as I have just explained them:
(1)
that the defendant was engaged in the commission of crime of eluding,
meaning that the State has proven the following [recapitulate the
elements of eluding an officer, N.J.S.A. 2C:29-2b];
(2) that the death of (name of victim) was caused by defendant;
(3) that the death of that person was caused at some time during the crime of eluding;
If
you find, after consideration of all the evidence, that the State has
proven each of these elements beyond a reasonable doubt, then you will
find the defendant guilty of manslaughter.
On
the other hand, if you find that the State has failed to prove to your
satisfaction beyond a reasonable doubt any one or more of these
elements, then you must find the defendant not guilty of manslaughter.
Consequences of a Criminal Guilty Plea1. You will have to appear in open court and tell the judge what you did that makes you guilty of the particular offense(s)
2. Do you understand that if you plead guilty:
a. You will have a criminal record3. If you are on Probation, you will have to submit to random drug and urine testing. If you violate Probation, you often go to jail.
b. You may go to Jail or Prison.
c. You will have to pay Fines and Court Costs.
4. In indictable matters, you will be required to provide a DNA sample, which could be used by law enforcement for the investigation of criminal activity, and pay for the cost of testing.
5. You must pay restitution if the court finds there is a victim who has suffered a loss and if the court finds that you are able or will be able in the future to pay restitution.
6. If you are a public office holder or employee, you can be required to forfeit your office or job by virtue of your plea of guilty.
7. If you are not a United States citizen or national, you may be deported by virtue of your plea of guilty.
8. You must wait 5-10 years to expunge a first offense. 2C:52-3
9. You could be put on Probation.
10. In Drug Cases, a mandatory DEDR penalty of $500-$1,000, and lose your drivers license for 6 months - 2 years. You must pay a Law Enforcement Officers Training and Equipment Fund penalty of $30.
11. You may be required to do Community Service.
12. You must pay a minimum Violent Crimes Compensation Board assessment of $50 ($100 minimum if you are convicted of a crime of violence) for each count to which you plead guilty.
13. You must pay a $75 Safe Neighborhood Services Fund assessment for each conviction.
14. If you are being sentenced to probation, you must pay a fee of up to $25 per month for the term of probation.
15. You lose the presumption against incarceration in future cases. 2C:44-1
16. You may lose your right to vote.
The defense of a person charged with a criminal offense is not impossible. There are a number of viable defenses and arguments which can be pursued to achieve a successful result. Advocacy, commitment, and persistence are essential to defending a client accused of a criminal offense.
Jail for Crimes and Disorderly Conduct:
If someone pleads Guilty or is found Guilty of a criminal offense, the following is the statutory Prison/Jail terms.
NJSA 2C: 43-8 (1) In the case of a crime of the first degree, for a specific term of years which shall be fixed by the court and shall be between 10 years and 20 years;
(2) In the case of a crime of the second degree, for a specific term of years which shall be fixed by the court and shall be between five years and 10 years;
(3) In the case of a crime of the third degree, for a specific term of years which shall be fixed by the court and shall be between three years and five years;
(4) In the case of a crime of the fourth degree, for a specific term which shall be fixed by the court and shall not exceed 18 months.
2C:43-3 Fines have been increased recently! 2C:43-3. Fines and Restitutions. A person who has been convicted of an offense may be sentenced to pay a fine, to make restitution, or both, such fine not to exceed:
a. (1) $200,000.00 when the conviction is of a crime of the first degree;
(2) $150,000.00 when the conviction is of a crime of the second degree;
b. (1) $15,000.00 when the conviction is of a crime of the third degree;
(2) $10,000.00 when the conviction is of a crime of the fourth degree;
c. $1,000.00, when the conviction is of a disorderly persons offense;
d. $500.00, when the conviction is of a petty disorderly persons offense;
If facing any criminal charge, retain an experienced attorney immediately to determine you rights and obligations to the court. Current criminal charge researched by Kenneth Vercammen, Esq. 732-572-0500
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