14.5 THEFT OF COMMUNICATIONS SERVICES
Official jury instruction text reproduced for information. It is not legal advice; the instruction given in a case depends on the facts and the court.
- Instruction
- 14.5
- Statute
- § 812.15(2)(a), Fla. Stat.
- Edition
- Florida Standard Jury Instructions in Criminal Cases, complete set published by The Florida Bar, updated October 9, 2026
- Official source
- The Florida Bar: criminal jury instructions
Elements
Quoted word for word from the official text. Florida Standard Jury Instructions in Criminal Cases, complete set published by The Florida Bar, updated October 9, 2026.
To prove the crime of Theft of Communications Services, the State must prove the following three elements beyond a reasonable doubt:
Give 1a or 1b as applicable.
1. (Defendant) knowingly and willfully
a. intercepted, received, decrypted, disrupted, transmitted, retransmitted or acquired access to any communication service.
b. assisted [others] [another] in intercepting, receiving, decrypting, disrupting, transmitting, retransmitting or acquiring access to any communication service.
2. (Defendant) did not have the express authorization of the cable operator or other communications service provider to do so.
3. (Defendant) did so with the intent to defraud the cable operator or communications service provider.
Further findings
Special findings, enhancements, inferences and exceptions the instruction gives when they apply, word for word.
§ 812.15(3)(b), Fla. Stat. Give if applicable.
If you find the defendant guilty of Theft of Communications Services, you must further determine beyond a reasonable doubt whether the defendant acted for the purpose of direct or indirect commercial advantage or private financial gain.
Lesser-included offenses
As the instruction lists them, word for word.
No lesser included offenses have been identified for this offense.
Related practice page
Criminal defense in Miami. State or federal.
Official source: The Florida Bar: criminal jury instructions
Official jury instruction text reproduced for information. It is not legal advice; the instruction given in a case depends on the facts and the court.