California, United States of America
The following excerpt is from People v. Campos, H0035756 (Cal. App. 2012):
Evidence Code section 502 states: "The court on all proper occasions shall instruct the jury as to which party bears the burden of proof on each issue and as to whether that burden requires that a party raise a reasonable doubt concerning the existence or nonexistence of a fact or that he establish the existence or nonexistence of a fact by a preponderance of the evidence, by clear and convincing proof, or by proof beyond a reasonable doubt." In general, trial courts have a sua sponte obligation to "instruct the jury on the allocation and weight of the burden of proof." (People v. Mower (2002) 28 Cal.4th 457, 483.)
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.