What is a trial court's duty to instruct a defendant on general principles of law?

California, United States of America

The following excerpt is from People v. Myers, E059514 (Cal. App. 2015):

"'In criminal cases, even in the absence of a request, a trial court must instruct on general principles of law relevant to the issues raised by the evidence and necessary for the jury's understanding of the case.' [Citation.] That duty extends to '"instructions on the defendant's theory of the case, including instructions 'as to defenses "'that the defendant is relying on . . . , or if there is substantial evidence supportive of such a defense and the defense is not inconsistent with the defendant's theory of the case.'"'"' [Citation.]" (People v. Anderson (2011) 51 Cal.4th 989, 996.)

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