What is the current state of the law on "attempting to appeal to the sympathy or passions" at the guilt phase of a criminal trial?
California, United States of America
The following excerpt is from People v. Nguyen, H034833 (Cal. App. 2011):
"It has long been settled that appeals to the sympathy or passions of the jury are inappropriate at the guilt phase of a criminal trial. [Citations.]" (People v. Fields (1983) 35 Cal.3d 329, 362.) "A prosecutor is allowed to make vigorous arguments . . . , as long as these arguments are not inflammatory and principally aimed at arousing the passion or
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