How has the jury been instructed to consider the age of the victim?

California, United States of America


The following excerpt is from People v. Martinez, 56 Cal.App.4th 1268, 66 Cal.Rptr.2d 365 (Cal. App. 1997):

As these instructions reveal, the jury was not foreclosed from considering the victim's age. Even though the prosecutor argued risk of harm to the jury, the latter was never asked to decide whether the movement of the victim substantially increased her vulnerability and/or risk of harm over that which existed prior to her movement. The instruction instead focused on whether the distance the victim was moved was substantial. Since we have no way of [56 Cal.App.4th 1293] knowing what facts formed the basis of the jury's guilty verdict, appellant's conviction for section 208, subdivision (b) must be reversed and the matter remanded for a new trial in which the jury can be instructed in a manner consistent with this opinion. (In re Winship (1970) 397 U.S. 358, 364, 90 S.Ct. 1068, 1072, 25 L.Ed.2d 368; People v. Kobrin (1995) 11 Cal.4th 416, 423, 45 Cal.Rptr.2d 895, 903 P.2d 1027.)

Other Questions


In what circumstances will the jury be instructed to follow the law as instructed, rather than consider any comments by the prosecutor that conflicted with the trial court's instructions? (California, United States of America)
Is there any case law where a jury is instructed not to consider their own instructions? (California, United States of America)
Does the Attorney General have any authority or authority to instruct a jury to disregard an instruction in an assault case where the instruction had no antecedent in the facts? (California, United States of America)
Is a Defendant's proposed instructions in a personal injury case considered a pinpoint instruction? (California, United States of America)
Is a witness who gives evidence at a joint trial considered a witness against a defendant if the jury is instructed to consider that testimony only against a codefendant? (California, United States of America)
Is there any instructional error in general criminal intent instruction used by the trial court to include counts 4 and 7 in the General Criminal intent instruction? (California, United States of America)
Does the instruction that the jury was to follow the instructions if an attorney's comments appeared to be in conflict with the instructions apply? (California, United States of America)
If a jury is instructed to convict a defendant of robbery based solely on the taking of items from the victim's person, is this instructional error inconsequential or prejudicial? (California, United States of America)
Is a witness who gives evidence at a joint trial considered a witness against a defendant if the jury is instructed to consider that testimony only against a codefendant? (California, United States of America)
Does a jury have to consider whether a jury has been instructed to disregard an instruction from the Court of Appeal that is not supported by how the jury views the evidence? (California, United States of America)
X



Alexi white


"The most advanced legal research software ever built."

Trusted by top litigators from across North America.