Is there any case law supporting a finding that an instructional error is harmless beyond a reasonable doubt?
California, United States of America
The following excerpt is from People v. Macedo, 213 Cal.App.3d 554, 261 Cal.Rptr. 754 (Cal. App. 1989):
We cannot, therefore, conclude that the instructional error is harmless beyond a reasonable doubt. (Chapman v. California, supra, 386 U.S. at p. 24, 87 S.Ct. at 828.) Macedo's convictions must be reversed.
"The most advanced legal research software ever built."
The above passage should not be considered legal advice. Reliable answers to complex legal questions require comprehensive research memos. To learn more visit www.alexi.com.
Other Questions
What are the consequences of the Court's failure to instruct on an instructing on a harmless beyond a reasonable doubt finding? (California, United States of America)
What is the federal harmless error standard for determining that an error was harmless beyond a reasonable doubt? (California, United States of America)
If an instruction omits a required definition of an offence is harmless only if the error is proven beyond a reasonable doubt, can the error be reversed? (California, United States of America)
If defendant fails to establish all the errors of the trial court as a cumulative result of the cumulative error, can he continue to argue that the cumulative effect of the error was harmless beyond a reasonable doubt and mandates reversal? (California, United States of America)
What is the test for determining whether the prosecution has proved beyond a reasonable doubt that an instructional error contributed to a jury's finding that a section 12022.53(b) enhancement was harmless? (California, United States of America)
Would you find any error to be harmless beyond a reasonable doubt? (California, United States of America)
Is the reasonable doubt instruction insufficient to support the definition of reasonable doubt in CALCRIM No. 220? (California, United States of America)
In what circumstances will a jury interpret the instructions of a jury as permitting a conviction on a standard less than beyond beyond beyond the reasonable doubt? (California, United States of America)
Is the reasonable doubt instruction insufficient to support the definition of reasonable doubt in CALCRIM No. 220? (California, United States of America)
Is there any reasonable doubt that there would have been no reasonable doubt in a jury finding a defendant guilty absent the error? (California, United States of America)
