A jury instruction is the judge's oral explanation of the law governing a case. Jury instructions are given after the attorneys have presented all the evidence and have made final arguments, but before the jury begins deliberations. Improper explanations of the law to be applied in jury instructions are often the basis for later appeals.
Minnesota Instruction to Jury Regarding Goods Wrongfully Taken From Plaintiff as Conversion Keywords: Minnesota, instruction to jury, goods wrongfully taken, plaintiff, conversion Introduction: In Minnesota, the instruction to the jury regarding goods wrongfully taken from the plaintiff as conversion provides a comprehensive set of guidelines to determine liability and damages in cases involving the unlawful possession or appropriation of someone's personal property. This instruction outlines the different elements that must be proven in order to establish a claim of conversion and highlights specific circumstances under which this claim can be pursued. It plays a crucial role in guiding the jury in understanding the legal principles and applying them to the facts of the case at hand. Types of Minnesota Instruction to Jury Regarding Goods Wrongfully Taken From Plaintiff as Conversion: 1. Standard Instruction: The standard instruction to the jury regarding goods wrongfully taken from the plaintiff as conversion includes the following essential elements: A. Unauthorized taking or control: The defendant must have intentionally taken or exercised control over the plaintiff's property without lawful authorization. B. Plaintiff's ownership or right to possess: The plaintiff must have had lawful ownership or the right to possess the goods at the time of the conversion. C. Intent: The defendant must have intended to interfere with the plaintiff's ownership or possessor rights. D. Damage or deprivation: The plaintiff must have suffered damage or deprivation as a result of the defendant's actions. E. Damages: The jury should consider the appropriate amount of damages to be awarded to the plaintiff, taking into account the value of the converted goods, any additional losses incurred, and potential punitive damages. 2. Instruction for Trespass Conversion: In cases where the conversion is based on trespass, this specialized instruction directs the jury to consider additional factors such as: A. Entry onto property: The defendant must have gained access to the plaintiff's property unlawfully. B. Duration of possession: The jury should assess the length of time the defendant possessed the goods, as it may impact the damages awarded. C. Recklessness or willful conduct: If the defendant acted recklessly or willfully in taking or retaining the plaintiff's property, this may be considered aggravating factors for determining the amount of damages. 3. Instruction for Lost Property Conversion: When the conversion claim arises from the defendant finding and wrongfully retaining lost property, a specific instruction brings attention to the following elements: A. Discovery of lost property: The defendant must have discovered the plaintiff's property but failed to take reasonable steps to locate the rightful owner. B. Good faith efforts: The jury should assess whether the defendant made genuine attempts to find the property's owner or acted dishonestly in retaining it. C. Value of the property: The value of the lost property should be duly considered when determining the damages. Conclusion: Minnesota's instruction to the jury regarding goods wrongfully taken from the plaintiff as conversion provides a framework to assess the liability and damages in cases involving the unlawful appropriation of someone's personal property. By outlining the essential elements and specific circumstances of different types of conversion claims such as trespass and lost property, this instruction assists the jury in making informed decisions and ensuring justice is served in accordance with Minnesota law.
