Is a district court's refusal to instruct on a theory presented by the defense in a civil case error?

MultiRegion, United States of America

The following excerpt is from U.S. v. White, 974 F.2d 1135 (9th Cir. 1992):

The district court's refusal to instruct on a theory presented by the defense is error if the defense's theory is legally sound, is not substantially covered by other instructions, and if a failure to instruct would seriously impair the defendant's ability to present a defense. United States v. Solomon, 825 F.2d 1292, 1295 (9th Cir.1987), cert. denied, 484 U.S. 1046, 108 S.Ct. 782, 98 L.Ed.2d 868 (1988).

Other Questions


Does a jury's instructions adequately cover the defense theory when the district court rejected a proposed instruction? (MultiRegion, United States of America)
When a final judgment from one district court is registered with another district court pursuant to Section 1963, is it treated like a judgment from the other district court? (MultiRegion, United States of America)
Is it reversible error to reject a defendant's instruction on his theory of the case if other instructions adequately cover that defense? (MultiRegion, United States of America)
Is it reversible error for the judge to refuse the defense counsel's request to instruct the jury in a civil case? (MultiRegion, United States of America)
Can a defense counsel for the Spans appeal the instructions of the District Court's instructions de novo on sexual assault? (MultiRegion, United States of America)
Is Contreras-Rodriguez's claim that the District Court erred by failing to instruct the jury as to his theory of defense? (MultiRegion, United States of America)
Does a federal district court commit reversible error by failing to give a jury a self-defense jury instruction? (MultiRegion, United States of America)
What is the basis for a federal district court's finding that a state court transcript is sufficient basis for the district court to grant a motion requiring an evidentiary hearing? (MultiRegion, United States of America)
What constitutes a procedural error or substantive error in a federal district court's sentence? (MultiRegion, United States of America)
Is there any case law where a trial court committed an instructional error by removing an element of the crime of wiretapping from the instruction? (MultiRegion, United States of America)
X



Alexi white


"The most advanced legal research software ever built."

Trusted by top litigators from across North America.