inaccurate instruction (Florida) · Go Syfert
← Florida issues

inaccurate instruction in Florida

20 Florida opinions name it 3 courts 1989–2025 1 in the last five years

The cases below were cited by Florida courts in a sentence that names this issue. Sides come from how each citing opinion treated the case (Syfertize flag on that citation), so a case can appear on both: that is where the law is contested. A red or yellow chip is the case's own overall treatment.

Followed or applied (9)

CaseFollowedCited
Reed v. Stategreen
fla · 2002 · cited in 10 Florida opinions naming this issue, 2009–2025
2 sentences

2017Thus, the State continues, it is unlikely. that the jury got confused. “[Wjhether the evidence of guilt, is overwhelming or whether the prosecutor has or has not made an inaccurate instruction a feature of the prosecution’s argument are not germane to whether the error is fundamental.” Reed v. State, 837 So.2d 366, 369 (Fla. 2002).

2017See State v. Montgomery, 39 So.3d 252, 258 (Fla. 2010) (“Failing to instruct on an element of the crime over which the record reflects there was no dispute is not fundamental error and there must be an objection to preserve the issue for appeal.” (quoting Delva, 575 So.2d at 645 )); Reed v. State, 837 So.2d 366, 369 (Fla. 2002) (“[Wjhether the evidence of guilt is overwhelming or whether the prosecutor has or has not made an inaccurate instruction a feature of the prosecution’s argument are not germane to whether the error is fundamental,” rather, “[i]t is fundamental error if the inaccurately

810
Stewart v. Stategreen
fla · 1982 · cited in 4 Florida opinions naming this issue, 2002–2017
2 sentences

2017See State v. Montgomery, 39 So.3d 252, 258 (Fla. 2010) (“Failing to instruct on an element of the crime over which the record reflects there was no dispute is not fundamental error and there must be an objection to preserve the issue for appeal.” (quoting Delva, 575 So.2d at 645 )); Reed v. State, 837 So.2d 366, 369 (Fla. 2002) (“[Wjhether the evidence of guilt is overwhelming or whether the prosecutor has or has not made an inaccurate instruction a feature of the prosecution’s argument are not germane to whether the error is fundamental,” rather, “[i]t is fundamental error if the inaccurately

2017Here, however, it is simply impossible to imagine any circumstance under which it could be said that Mr. Thames inadvertently or unknowingly possessed the Chevrolet Caprice he was leaning against when he conducted this drug transaction. -7- whether the prosecutor has or has not made an inaccurate instruction a feature of the prosecution's argument are not germane to whether the error is fundamental," rather, "[i]t is fundamental error if the inaccurately defined . . . element is disputed, and the inaccurate definition 'is pertinent or material to what the jury must consider in order to convict

44
State v. Delvagreen
fla · 1991 · cited in 4 Florida opinions naming this issue, 2002–2025
2 sentences

2017See State v. Montgomery, 39 So.3d 252, 258 (Fla. 2010) (“Failing to instruct on an element of the crime over which the record reflects there was no dispute is not fundamental error and there must be an objection to preserve the issue for appeal.” (quoting Delva, 575 So.2d at 645 )); Reed v. State, 837 So.2d 366, 369 (Fla. 2002) (“[Wjhether the evidence of guilt is overwhelming or whether the prosecutor has or has not made an inaccurate instruction a feature of the prosecution’s argument are not germane to whether the error is fundamental,” rather, “[i]t is fundamental error if the inaccurately

2003Like State v.Delva, 575 So.2d 643 (Fla.1991), Reed stands for the proposition that the giving of an inaccurate instruction as to a disputed element of a crime is fundamental error.

24
Haygood v. Stategreen
fla · 2013 · cited in 3 Florida opinions naming this issue, 2014–2015
2 sentences

2015She further argues Morris was implicitly overruled by Montgomery, 39 So.3d at 259 , and Haygood v. State, 109 So.3d 735, 741 (Fla.2013), in which the supreme court held that an inaccurate instruction on manslaughter as a lesser-in- eluded offense only one step removed can constitute fundamental error.

2014If a jury instruction defines a disputed element in a materially inaccurate way, “ 'whether the evidence of guilt is overwhelming or whether the prosecutor has or has not made an inaccurate instruction a feature of the prosecution’s argument are not germane to whether the error is fundamental.’ ” Haygood, 109 So.3d at 741 (quoting Reed v. State, 837 So.2d 366, 369 (Fla.2002)).

23
State v. Montgomerygreen
fla · 2010 · cited in 4 Florida opinions naming this issue, 2014–2017
2 sentences

2017See State v. Montgomery, 39 So.3d 252, 258 (Fla. 2010) (“Failing to instruct on an element of the crime over which the record reflects there was no dispute is not fundamental error and there must be an objection to preserve the issue for appeal.” (quoting Delva, 575 So.2d at 645 )); Reed v. State, 837 So.2d 366, 369 (Fla. 2002) (“[Wjhether the evidence of guilt is overwhelming or whether the prosecutor has or has not made an inaccurate instruction a feature of the prosecution’s argument are not germane to whether the error is fundamental,” rather, “[i]t is fundamental error if the inaccurately

2015She further argues Morris was implicitly overruled by Montgomery, 39 So.3d at 259 , and Haygood v. State, 109 So.3d 735, 741 (Fla.2013), in which the supreme court held that an inaccurate instruction on manslaughter as a lesser-in- eluded offense only one step removed can constitute fundamental error.

14
State v. Lucasgreen
fla · 1994 · cited in 1 Florida opinions naming this issue, 2015–2015
1 sentence

2015Alternatively, appellant argues that if this court finds Morris correctly interpreted Jones as holding that the failure to request an instruction on a necessarily lesser-included offense in a non-capital case is not fundamental error, then appellant argues Jones is inconsistent with Montgomery, Haygood, and State v. Lucas, 645 So.2d 425, 426-27 (Fla.1994), all of which held an incomplete or erroneous instruction on manslaughter as a lesser-included offense only one step removed may be fundamental error.

11
Daniels v. Stategreen
fla · 2013 · cited in 1 Florida opinions naming this issue, 2014–2014
1 sentence

2014Specifically, “where the trial court fails to correctly instruct on an element of the crime over which there is dispute, and that element is both pertinent and material to what the jury must consider in order to decide if the defendant is guilty of the crime charged or any of its lesser included offenses, fundamental error occurs.” Daniels v. State, 121 So.3d 409, 418 (Fla.2013). “‘[Wjhether the evidence of guilt is overwhelming or whether the prosecutor has or has not made an inaccurate instruction a feature of the prosecution’s argument are not [determinative or even] germane to whether the

11
Palazzolo v. Stategreen
fladistctapp · 2000 · cited in 1 Florida opinions naming this issue, 2006–2006
1 sentence

2006See also Palazzolo v. State, 754 So.2d 731 (Fla. 2d DCA 2000)(instruction regarding essential element of sexual battery was fundamental error where instruction was erroneous and where there were misleading comments *1162 made during trial); Dowling v. State, 723 So.2d 307 (Fla. 4th DCA 1998)(failure to give a complete or accurate instruction for the offense of false imprisonment constitutes fundamental error as it relates to an element of the charged offense).

11
State v. DiGuiliogreen
fla · 1986 · cited in 1 Florida opinions naming this issue, 2001–2001
1 sentence

2001See State v. DiGuilio, 491 So.2d 1129 (Fla.1986).

11

Distinguished, questioned or overruled (0)

CaseNegativeCited
No negative-treatment citations attached to this issue in Florida. Read the followed side critically anyway.

Also cited on this issue (9)

CaseCitedYears
Francis v. State neutral
fladistctapp · 2011
1 sentence

2015Subsequently, in light of the Florida Supreme Court’s decision in State v. Montgomery, 39 So.3d 252 (Fla.2010), which held that an inaccurate instruction on manslaughter as a lesser-included offense only one step removed constitutes fundamental error, we vacated Francis’s conviction for the attempted second-degree murder counts in Francis v. State, 77 So.3d 806 (Fla. 3d DCA 2011).

12015–2015
Williams v. State green
fla · 2013
2 sentences

2015“This is true regardless of whether there is ample evidence to convict the defendant of the higher crime.” Williams, 123 So.3d at 29 . “ ‘[Wjhether the evidence of guilt is overwhelming or whether the prosecutor has or has not made an inaccurate instruction a feature of the prosecution’s argument are not germane to whether the error is fundamental.’ ” Id. (quoting Reed v. State, 837 So.2d 366, 369 (Fla.2002)).

2015“This is true regardless of whether there is ample evidence to convict the defendant of the higher crime.” Williams, 123 So.3d at 29 . “ ‘[Wjhether the evidence of guilt is overwhelming or whether the prosecutor has or has not made an inaccurate instruction a feature of the prosecution’s argument are not germane to whether the error is fundamental.’ ” Id. (quoting Reed v. State, 837 So.2d 366, 369 (Fla.2002)).

12015–2015
Garzon v. State green
fla · 2008
2 sentences

2009While the supreme court has now made it clear that the whole context must be considered, Garzon, 980 So.2d at 1041 , the dispositive question remains whether (in the context of the whole case) the inaccurate instruction was “pertinent or material to what the jury must consider in order to convict.” Stewart v. State, 420 So.2d 862, 863 (Fla.1982) (quoted with approval in Reed, 837 So.2d at 369 ).

2009While the supreme court has now made it clear that the whole context must be considered, Garzon, 980 So.2d at 1041 , the dispositive question remains whether (in the context of the whole case) the inaccurate instruction was "pertinent or material to what the jury must consider in order to convict." Stewart v. State, 420 So.2d 862, 863 (Fla.1982) (quoted with approval in Reed, 837 So.2d at 369 ).

12009–2009
Young v. State green
fladistctapp · 2000
1 sentence

2008Id.

12008–2008
Dowling v. State green
fladistctapp · 1998
1 sentence

2006See also Palazzolo v. State, 754 So.2d 731 (Fla. 2d DCA 2000)(instruction regarding essential element of sexual battery was fundamental error where instruction was erroneous and where there were misleading comments *1162 made during trial); Dowling v. State, 723 So.2d 307 (Fla. 4th DCA 1998)(failure to give a complete or accurate instruction for the offense of false imprisonment constitutes fundamental error as it relates to an element of the charged offense).

12006–2006
Reed v. State green
fladistctapp · 2001
1 sentence

2002The district court held: "In this case, utilization of the doctrine of fundamental error is simply not justified in light of the overwhelming evidence of guilt and lack of evidence that the inaccurate instruction was misused." Id. at 1198 .

12002–2002
Lifka v. State green
fladistctapp · 1988
1 sentence

1991We find Lifka v. State, 530 So.2d 371 (Fla. 1st DCA 1988) as persuasive authority for reversing one of the two lewd act convictions.

11991–1991
Change v. Mathies neutral
fladistctapp · 1987
1 sentence

1989I didn’t want to risk my whole future just on an inaccurate test.” This case must be affirmed on the authority of Nelson v State, 508 So.2d 49 , and State v Hoch, 500 So.2d 597 .

11989–1989
State v. Hoch green
fladistctapp · 1986
1 sentence

1989I didn’t want to risk my whole future just on an inaccurate test.” This case must be affirmed on the authority of Nelson v State, 508 So.2d 49 , and State v Hoch, 500 So.2d 597 .

11989–1989

Statutes the citing opinions construe

FL § 782.07 (4)

Counted by distinct opinions that both name this issue and are annotated to the section; sections every opinion cites regardless of issue are not filtered here, so read the counts against the total above.

Where else courts name it

FL 20 (1989–2025) TN 13 (2000–2020) IL 13 (1889–2024) OH 10 (1992–2018) WA 8 (1993–2019) NY 7 (1977–2022) PA 5 (1913–2022) NM 4 (1942–2019) IN 4 (1884–2018) OK 4 (1913–1991) GA 3 (1946–2025) TX 2 (2014–2015) HI 2 (2017–2022) DC 2 (2025–2026) MO 2 (1994–2018) IA 2 (2017–2017) NJ 2 (2022–2022) AK 2 (1988–2011) CA 2 (1958–2006) KY 2 (2021–2023)

Opinions by the citing court's state. A doctrine retained in one state and abandoned in another shows up here as a year span that stalls.

← Caselaw search · G Cite Topics · Brief Check