What is the duty of the trial court to instruct the jury on general principles of law in a criminal case?

California, United States of America


The following excerpt is from People v. Sanchez, B265951 (Cal. App. 2017):

It is well settled that in criminal cases the trial court has a sua sponte duty to " 'instruct on the general principles of law relevant to the issues raised by the evidence. [Citations.] The general principles of law governing the case are those principles closely and openly connected with the facts before the court, and which are necessary for the jury's understanding of the case.' [Citation.]" (People v. Breverman (1998) 19 Cal.4th 142, 154.) This includes "any affirmative defense for which the record contains substantial evidence [citation] - evidence sufficient for a reasonable jury to find in favor of the defendant unless the defense is inconsistent with the defendant's theory of the case [citation]. In determining whether the evidence is sufficient to warrant a jury instruction, the trial court does not determine the credibility of the defense evidence, but only whether 'there was evidence which, if believed by the jury, was sufficient to raise a reasonable doubt.' [Citations.]" (People v. Salas (2006) 37 Cal.4th 967, 983.)

2. CACRIM No. 3471

Other Questions


Is there any instructional error in general criminal intent instruction used by the trial court to include counts 4 and 7 in the General Criminal intent instruction? (California, United States of America)
What is the duty of the trial court to instruct the jury on the general principles of law in a criminal case? (California, United States of America)
What is the duty of a trial court to instruct on the general principles of law relevant to the issues raised by the criminal case? (California, United States of America)
In a criminal case, in what circumstances will the trial court grant a request to instruct on the general principles of law relevant to the issue? (California, United States of America)
In what circumstances will the trial court instruct the jury on the general principles of law in a criminal case? (California, United States of America)
What is the duty of a court to instruct a jury on the general principles of law in a criminal case? (California, United States of America)
What is the duty of the trial court to instruct the jury on the general principles of law governing the case? (California, United States of America)
What is the duty of a trial court to instruct a jury on the general principles of law relevant to the issues raised by the trial? (California, United States of America)
Does a party have to complain to the Court on appeal that an instruction in a criminal case instructing a jury to convict a defendant of possessing all six firearms was "too general or incomplete"? (California, United States of America)
What is the duty of a court to instruct a jury on general principles of law in a criminal case? (California, United States of America)
X



Alexi white


"The most advanced legal research software ever built."

Trusted by top litigators from across North America.