US-CA6 · jury_instructions
6th Cir. Pattern Crim. Jury Instr. 2.03
DEFINITION OF LESSER OFFENSE
(1) If you find the defendant not guilty of _________ [or if after making every reasonable effort to reach a unanimous verdict on that charge, you find that you cannot agree], then you must go on to consider whether the government has proved the lesser charge of ________.
(2) The difference between these two crimes is that to convict the defendant of the lesser charge of ________ , the government does not have to prove ________. This is an element of the greater charge, but not the lesser charge.
(3) For you to find the defendant guilty of the lesser charge, the government must prove each and every one of the following elements beyond a reasonable doubt:
(A) First, that the defendant [fully define the prohibited acts and/or results required to convict].
(B) Second, that he did so [fully define the mental state required to convict].
[(C) Third, that [fully define any other elements required to convict].]
[(4) Insert applicable definitions of terms used here.]
(5) If you are convinced that the government has proved all of these elements, say so by returning a guilty verdict on this charge. If you have a reasonable doubt about any one of these elements, then you must find the defendant not guilty of this charge.
[(6) Insert applicable explanations of any matters not required to convict here.]
Use Note
The bracketed language in paragraph (1) should be added if the court believes that the jurors should be permitted to consider a lesser offense even though they have not unanimously acquitted the defendant of the charged offense.
Bracketed paragraph (3)(C) should be included when the crime cannot be broken down neatly into two elements. Additional paragraphs should be added as needed to cover all the elements.
Bracketed paragraph (4) should be included when terms used in paragraphs (3)(A-C) require further explanation.
Bracketed paragraph (6) should be included when it would be helpful to explain matters that need not be proved in order to convict. When used, a final sentence should be included for balance emphasizing what it is that the government must prove to convict.
Provenance
- Source
- ca6.uscourts.gov
- Retrieved
- 2026-08-19
- Edition
- 2026-08-19
- Content hash
0455a756ecd1c4a8ce9b2c1734606f9269b55f71801a61ea141cdb805a2142f5
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