What is the definition of a reasonable person?

California, United States of America


The following excerpt is from People v. Donald, A139326 (Cal. App. 2015):

The jury then asked: "We did not find in the jury instruction packet a definition of either 'reasonable' or 'reasonable person.' We are wondering if the court read one to us, but we didn't get it. A related question is whether [the prosecutor] was reciting a specific binding definition when he wrote [sic] what a reasonable person is, i.e., not a gang member, not a person with mental illness & not a person who is intoxicated." Relying on People v. Jefferson (2004) 119 Cal.App.4th 508, 519, the court responded to the jury note as follows: "The law defines a reasonable person as an abstract individual of ordinary mental and physical capacity who is as prudent and careful as any situation would require him to be."

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