What is the sua sponte duty of a trial court to instruct a defendant on a claim of right defense?

California, United States of America


The following excerpt is from People v. Davis, C052445 (Cal. App. 8/19/2008), C052445 (Cal. App. 2008):

A trial court has a sua sponte duty to instruct on a particular defense if it appears that the defendant is relying on such a defense or if there is substantial evidence to support the defense and the defense is not inconsistent with the defendant's theory of the case. (People v. Maury (2003) 30 Cal.4th 342, 424.)

"The claim-of-right defense provides that a defendant's good faith belief, even if mistakenly held, that he has a right or claim to property he takes from another negates the felonious intent necessary for convicting of theft or robbery." (People v. Tufunga (1999) 21 Cal.4th 935, 938.)

Other Questions


Is a defendant's claim that the trial court's failure to provide him with the means and subpoena witnesses to defend at trial a violation of his Sixth Amendment right to represent himself at trial reversible? (California, United States of America)
If there was substantial evidence of imperfect self-defense not inconsistent with the defense theory of the case, does the trial court have a sua sponte duty to instruct a defendant not to testify? (California, United States of America)
Is a defendant's right to testify in his own defense justified when the trial court rejects a request by the defense to reopen his case? (California, United States of America)
What is the test for a defendant's claim that he was denied his constitutional right to due process of law because the trial court relieved the prosecution of its burden of establishing that defendant acted with malice? (California, United States of America)
Does Defendant have a claim that the trial court abused its discretion to treat Defendant as a "defendant" in a medical malpractice case? (California, United States of America)
What is the test for a defendant's claim that the trial court denied him the right to present his unconsciousness defense? (California, United States of America)
Does a defendant have grounds to argue that a trial court prejudicially errs in failing to instruct the jury sua sponte at the penalty phase to disregard the no-sympathy instruction at the guilt phase? (California, United States of America)
What is the sua sponte duty of a trial court to instruct a defendant on a defense of kidnapping during the commission of a murder? (California, United States of America)
Does Defendant have a valid claim to be able to claim damages from a defendant who has been found guilty of a similar claim against the Defendant? (California, United States of America)
How have courts treated a defendant's claim that the trial court erred by refusing to instruct on the elements of rape and sodomy generally? (California, United States of America)
X



Alexi white


"The most advanced legal research software ever built."

Trusted by top litigators from across North America.