How have courts interpreted the principles defining a trial court's duty to instruct sua sponte on defense?
California, United States of America
The following excerpt is from The People v. Garcia, 06F05769, C061347, C061662, Nos.07F10342 (Cal. App. 2010):
19 Cal.4th 142 (and People v. Gonzales (1999) 74 Cal.App.4th 382, 389-390). These cases involve the principles defining a trial court's duty to instruct sua sponte on defenses. They do not purport to give a defendant veto power over a trial court instructing on relevant limitations on a defense that have support in the evidence.
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