In what circumstances will a jury be instructed to refer to legal terms that are not specifically defined in their instructions?

California, United States of America


The following excerpt is from People v. Averhart, D073641 (Cal. App. 2019):

The court explained the procedures that would be followed, noting that the jury should refer to the instructions provided for relevant legal terms, and should give other terms their "ordinary, everyday meaning." This was a proper exercise of discretion. (People v. Lua (2017) 10 Cal.App.5th 1004, 1017 ["[T]he trial court does not abuse its discretion when it determines the best way to aid the jury is by directing the jury to reread the applicable jury instructions that 'are themselves full and complete.' "]; see CALCRIM No. 200 ["Words and phrases not specifically defined in these instructions are to be applied using their ordinary, everyday meanings."].)

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