Can a prosecutor be charged with misconduct for making comments in rebuttal to a defense argument?

California, United States of America


The following excerpt is from People v. Thomas, 279 Cal.Rptr.3d 335, 64 Cal.App.5th 924 (Cal. App. 2021):

before the jury, the question is whether there is a reasonable likelihood that the jury construed or applied any of the complained-of remarks in an objectionable fashion." ( People v. Berryman (1993) 6 Cal.4th 1048, 1072, 25 Cal.Rptr.2d 867, 864 P.2d 40.)

Where the alleged misconduct arises from the prosecution's rebuttal argument, "[p]rosecutors may make vigorous arguments and fairly comment on the evidence; they have broad discretion to argue inferences and deductions from the evidence to the jury. [Citation.] In particular, [r]ebuttal argument must permit the prosecutor to fairly respond to arguments by defense counsel. [Citations.] Indeed, even otherwise prejudicial prosecutorial argument, when made within proper limits in rebuttal to arguments of defense counsel, do[es] not constitute misconduct. [Citations.] In such circumstances, the prosecutor cannot be charged with misconduct if [her] comments only spill over somewhat into a forbidden area; the departure from propriety must be a substantial one. [Citation.]" ( People v. Reyes (2016) 246 Cal.App.4th 62, 74, 200 Cal.Rptr.3d 584.) "[A] prosecutor is justified in making comments in rebuttal, perhaps otherwise improper, which are fairly responsive to argument of defense counsel and are based on the record." ( People v. Hill (1967) 66 Cal.2d 536, 560, 58 Cal.Rptr. 340, 426 P.2d 908.) Despite such leeway, "it is improper for the prosecutor to misstate the law generally [citation], and particularly to attempt to absolve the prosecution from its ... obligation

[279 Cal.Rptr.3d 361]

Other Questions


When a prosecutor criticizes a defense attorney's conduct at trial, can the prosecutor be found guilty of misconduct if the prosecutor's arguments are not in the context of the defense counsel's conduct? (California, United States of America)
What is the test for prosecutorial misconduct when a prosecutor makes comments to the jury during argument? (California, United States of America)
Can a defendant bring a claim against a prosecutor for misconduct on appeal against the finding that the prosecutor made inappropriate comments about a change in the defense? (California, United States of America)
Can a prosecutor be charged with misconduct for making comments that referred to "OG" in a news article? (California, United States of America)
What is the test for misconduct by a prosecutor at a civil trial where the prosecutor made comments that defense counsel did not object to? (California, United States of America)
Is there a reasonable likelihood that a prosecutor's comment at the closing argument was directed solely at the persuasive force of defense counsel's closing argument? (California, United States of America)
What is the test for misconduct in a federal criminal case when a federal prosecutor makes comments to the jury during closing argument? (California, United States of America)
Is a prosecutor's comment in response to a defense counsel's argument that the phone records for the apartment where the shootings occurred after the shooting occurred constitute misconduct? (California, United States of America)
In a sexual assault case, in what circumstances would the jury have considered a defense counsel's closing argument that the prosecutor's rebuttal to the closing argument had the trial court sustained an objection? (California, United States of America)
What constitutes reversible misconduct for a federal prosecutor who makes comments about subpoena power to the defense? (California, United States of America)
X



Alexi white


"The most advanced legal research software ever built."

Trusted by top litigators from across North America.