In what circumstances will a defendant be found guilty of resisting arrest under section 69 of the California Criminal Code?

California, United States of America


The following excerpt is from People v. Davison, B254038 (Cal. App. 2015):

We find further support for our decision in People v. Carrasco (2008) 163 Cal.App.4th 978, where the court found that "if [the defendant] resisted the officers at all, he did so forcefully, thereby ensuring no reasonable jury could have concluded he violated section 148, subdivision (a)(1) but not section 69." The witnesses testified the defendant "had to be physically taken to the ground by [a detective] because he refused to comply with . . . repeated orders to remove his hand from his duffle bag." (Id. at p. 985.) In addition, the defendant "failed to comply with several officers' repeated orders to relax" and "to 'stop resisting,'" and "continued to struggle" with several officers. (Id. at pp. 985-986.) The defendant "continued to squirm" and refuse to surrender his right hand until he was pepper sprayed. (Id. at p. 986.) The court concluded "the jury would have had no rational basis to conclude [the defendant] wrestled with the officers, for which they convicted him of resisting or delaying an officer, but the struggle did not involve force or violence . . . ." (Ibid.; see also People v. Bernal (2013) 222 Cal.App.4th 512, 519 [violation of section 69 "need not involve any force or violence directed toward the person of an executive officer"; "[the] force used by a defendant in resisting an officer's attempt to restrain and arrest the defendant is sufficient to support a conviction." (Italics deleted.)].) In line with these authorities, we reject appellant's contention that giving the lesser included offense instruction was required.

C. Failure to Give Unanimity Instruction Sua Sponte

1. Background

Other Questions


Can a defendant be found to have committed a single physical act for purposes of section 654 of the California Criminal Code, Section 215 of the Code of Civil Procedure, Section 422 of the Criminal Code for carjacking? (California, United States of America)
What is the test for Section 654 of the California Criminal Code when a defendant is found guilty of a breach of section 654 or section 744 of the Code of Civil Procedure? (California, United States of America)
What is the effect of section 654 of the California Criminal Code when a defendant is found guilty of a charge under Section 654, subdivision (a) of the Criminal Code? (California, United States of America)
Can a self-represented defendant be found guilty of a criminal act against a criminal defendant under section 352 of the California Criminal Code? (California, United States of America)
What is the effect of Section 969a of the California Criminal Code when a jury has found a defendant not guilty of a charge of assault but found him guilty of the same charge? (California, United States of America)
Does section 27 of the California Criminal Code, section 778a, subdivision (a)(1) of the Criminal Code of California apply to a defendant who is charged with a charge of conspiracy to commit a crime committed outside of the state? (California, United States of America)
Can a jury be found guilty of misconduct under California Evidence Code section 1150 of the California Criminal Code for failing to follow instructions? (California, United States of America)
Does section 654, subdivision (a) of the California Criminal Code, Section 654 of the Criminal Code protect a defendant against prosecution for an act or omission committed during a course of conduct deemed to be indivisible in time? (California, United States of America)
Can a defendant be punished under section 654 of the California Criminal Code for failing to comply with the requirements of Section 654, subdivision (a) of the Criminal Code? (California, United States of America)
Does section 190.3 of the California Criminal Code allow the penalty phase jury to consider the "circumstances" of the crime within the meaning of section 190 of the Criminal Code? (California, United States of America)
X



Alexi white


"The most advanced legal research software ever built."

Trusted by top litigators from across North America.