Is a trial court still permitted to bar counsel from making reference to the law during argument?

California, United States of America


The following excerpt is from Wagner, In re, 119 Cal.App.3d 90, 173 Cal.Rptr. 766 (Cal. App. 1981):

Whether or not the trial court still retains discretion to bar counsel from making any reference whatsoever to the law during argument may perhaps be somewhat questionable at this time. Still, it is beyond question that the trial court has the power and, in fact, the duty to bar counsel from misstating the law. (People v. Sudduth (1966) 65 Cal.2d 543, 55 Cal.Rptr. 393, 421 P.2d 401.)

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