Does a prosecutor have to avoid indirect reference to the failure of a defendant to testify?

MultiRegion, United States of America

The following excerpt is from U.S. v. Armedo-Sarmiento, 545 F.2d 785 (2nd Cir. 1977):

The prosecutor, who would argue the merits of the government's case, must sometimes walk a narrow line to avoid indirect reference to the defendant's failure to testify. No matter how delicately worded, a summation which points to the strength of the government's proof, points inevitably, albeit silently, to the weakness of the defendant's. However, unless a prosecutor's comments are of such a nature that a jury would naturally and necessarily construe them to be directed to the failure of the defendant to testify, they are not prejudiciously unfair. United States ex rel. Leak v. Follette, 418 F.2d 1266, 1269 (2d Cir. 1969), cert. denied, 397 U.S. 1050, 90 S.Ct. 1388, 25 L.Ed.2d 665 (1970).

Other Questions


What is the current state of the law on the interpretation of the Fifth Amendment when a prosecutor makes an indirect comment about a defendant's failure to testify? (MultiRegion, United States of America)
Does a prosecutor's mention of "uncontradicted or unrefuted" evidence constitute improper commentary by the prosecutor on defendant's failure to testify? (MultiRegion, United States of America)
Can a prosecutor refer to the guilty pleas of co-defendants as evidence of a defendant's guilt? (MultiRegion, United States of America)
Can a prosecutor comment on the failure of a defendant to testify? (MultiRegion, United States of America)
Is a prosecutor's closing argument improper reference to the appellants' failure to testify? (MultiRegion, United States of America)
Does a prosecutor's comment regarding a defendant's failure to testify at trial violate the Fifth Amendment? (MultiRegion, United States of America)
Does a prosecutor need to avoid directly accusing a defendant of lying? (MultiRegion, United States of America)
Is there any case law where a defendant who refuses to testify before a grand jury has a right to defend himself against compelled self-incrimination? (MultiRegion, United States of America)
What is the test for misconduct in a criminal case where a prosecutor improperly referred to a defendant in a question at trial by mistake? (MultiRegion, United States of America)
Can the court instruct the jury that no inference can be drawn from the failure of a defendant to testify? (MultiRegion, United States of America)
X



Alexi white


"The most advanced legal research software ever built."

Trusted by top litigators from across North America.