(N.J.S.A. 2C:21‑1c)
(Possession charge) model jury charge
The indictment in this case charges
the defendant with possession of a forgery device, to wit; a (describe item
named in indictment), with purpose to use or aid or permit another to use the
same for the purpose of forging written instruments.
The pertinent part of the statute here applicable; N.J.S.A.
2C:21‑1c, reads as follows
A person is guilty of possession of forgery devices …
when with purpose to use, or to aid or permit another to use the same for
purposes of forging written instruments, he possesses any device apparatus,
equipment or article specially designed or adapted to such use.
Therefore, in order for the
defendant to be found guilty of this charge, the State must prove beyond a
reasonable doubt each of the following elements:
1. that
on (cite date in indictment) the defendant was in possession of the (describe
item in indictment).
2. that
said (describe item named in indictment) was a (device) (apparatus) (equipment)
or (article) specially (designed) or (adapted) for use in forging written instruments,
and
3. that
the defendant possessed such (describe item named in indictment) with purpose
to use or aid or permit another to use same for forging written instruments.
As to the first element:
(HERE
CHARGE POSSESSION)
As to the second element:
You must rely on the evidence
presented to you with respect to the (name item referred to in indictment) to
determine whether or not such item was specially designed or adapted for
forging written instruments and the defendant had knowledge that the same could
be so used.
As to the third element:
You must find that the defendant
possessed this (name item referred to in indictment) with the purpose to use or
to aid or permit another to use it to forge written instruments.
A person acts "with
purpose" with respect to the nature of his/her conduct or a result thereof if it is his/her conscious object to engage in conduct of
that nature or to cause such a result. A
person acts "with purpose" with respect to attendant circumstances if
he/she is
aware of the existence of such circumstances as he/she
believes or hopes they exist.
When I speak of a knowing possession
and when I speak of someone's purpose I am referring to conditions of the
mind. Purpose and knowledge are
conditions of the mind which cannot be seen and can only be determined by
inferences from conduct, words or acts.
It is not necessary for the State to produce a witness or witnesses who
could testify that the defendant stated for example: "I possessed the
(name item referred to in indictment) for the purpose of forging certain
written instruments."
It is within the power of the jury
to find that proof of purpose and knowledge has been furnished beyond a
reasonable doubt by inferences which may arise from the nature of the acts and
circumstances surrounding the conduct under investigation.
A "written instrument"
includes printing or any other method of recording information, money, coins,
tokens, stamps, seals, credit cards, badges, trademarks and other symbols of
value, right, privilege or identification.
Common examples of a symbol of value would include checks, stock
certificates, bonds, stamps, (postage, revenue or food), etc.
Therefore, to sum up, if you find
that the State has proved beyond a reasonable doubt all of the elements of the
crime that I have just recited to you, then you must find the defendant guilty
as charged.
On the other hand, if you find that
the State has failed to prove all or any one of the elements of the crime
beyond a reasonable doubt, you must then find the defendant not guilty.
[1]
NOTE: If forgery is not a companion indictment or
count in the indictment, then the legal definition of forgery should also be
charged.