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."
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.