Conn. Crim. Jury Instr. 8.5-2

The defendant is charged [in count__] with falsely reporting an incident in the first degree. The

statute defining this offense reads in pertinent part as follows:

a person is guilty of falsely reporting an incident in the first degree when, knowing

the information reported, conveyed or circulated to be false or baseless, such person

reports, by word or action, to any (official or quasi-official agency / organization

having the function of dealing with emergencies involving danger to life or property),

an alleged occurrence or impending occurrence of a fire, explosion or other

catastrophe or emergency which did not in fact occur or does not in fact exist.

For you to find the defendant guilty of this charge, the state must prove the following elements

beyond a reasonable doubt:

Element 1 - Reported a fire, explosion, catastrophe or emergency

The first element is that the defendant, by word or action, reported an alleged occurrence or

impending occurrence of a fire, explosion or other catastrophe or emergency. Impending means

about to happen. <Insert specific allegations.>

Element 2 - To official agency

The second element is that the defendant made such report to an (official or quasi-official agency

/ organization having the function of dealing with emergencies involving danger to life or

property). “Official” means having public authority. “Quasi-official” means having the

appearance of public authority.

Element 3 - Report was false

The third element is that such occurrence or impending occurrence did not in fact exist or did not

in fact occur.

Element 4 - Knowledge

The fourth element is that the defendant knew that the report was false or baseless. “False”

means not true. “Baseless” means groundless, without any foundation in fact. A person acts

“knowingly” with respect to conduct or circumstances when (he/she) is aware that (his/her)

conduct is of such nature or that such circumstances exist. <See Knowledge, Instruction 2.3-3.>

Conclusion

In summary, the state must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant 1) reported an

alleged occurrence or impending occurrence of a fire, explosion or other catastrophe or

emergency, 2) the report was made to an (official or quasi-official agency / organization having

the function of dealing with emergencies involving danger to life or property), 3) the occurrence

or impending occurrence did not in fact exist or did not in fact occur, and 4) the defendant knew

that the report was false or baseless.

If you unanimously find that the state has proved beyond a reasonable doubt each of the elements

of falsely reporting an incident in the first degree, then you shall find the defendant guilty. On

the other hand, if you unanimously find that the state has failed to prove beyond a reasonable

doubt any of the elements, you shall then find the defendant not guilty.