North Carolina Jury Instruction — DeliberatIgnorancenc— - As Proof Of Knowledge is a legal concept that comes into play during criminal trials. It revolves around the idea that a defendant's deliberate decision to remain ignorant or deliberately avoid seeking knowledge about certain aspects of a crime can be presented as evidence of their guilty knowledge, or intent to commit a crime. This jury instruction is used to guide the jury's decision-making process and help them understand the significance of the defendant's actions. In North Carolina, there are various types of jury instructions related to deliberate ignorance that may be applicable depending on the specific circumstances of the case. Some of these instructions include: 1. Deliberate Ignorance — General Instruction: This instruction explains to the jury that if they find the defendant deliberately avoided or disregarded seeking knowledge about a certain fact or circumstance related to the crime, they may consider this as evidence of the defendant's knowledge and intent to commit the crime. 2. Deliberate Ignorance — Specific Intent Crimes: This instruction is specific to crimes that require proof of a particular mental state or intent. It clarifies that deliberate ignorance can be considered as evidence of the defendant's intent or knowledge required for the crime charged. 3. Deliberate Ignorance — Drug Offenses: This instruction is particularly relevant in drug-related cases, where a defendant may attempt to claim lack of knowledge about the illegal nature of a substance. It explains that willful blindness or deliberate ignorance, rather than actual knowledge, can establish guilt in such cases. 4. Deliberate Ignorance — Corporate Liability: This instruction is often applied in cases involving corporate entities. It outlines that the jury may consider the decision of high-ranking officials or employees to remain deliberately ignorant of illegal activities happening within their organization as an indicator of their collective knowledge and intent, making the corporation liable. It's important to note that these are just a few examples of North Carolina jury instructions related to deliberate ignorance, and the specific instructions given can vary from case to case. These instructions aim to help the jury understand the legal principles behind deliberate ignorance and its role in determining a defendant's guilt or innocence.