What is the test for a defense counsel to request a voluntary intoxication instruction?

California, United States of America


The following excerpt is from People v. Harmon, B265455 (Cal. App. 2016):

We conclude that under such circumstances, any request for a voluntary intoxication instruction would have been futile, which would have been a satisfactory reason for defense counsel not to request it. (See People v. Price, supra, 1 Cal.4th at pp. 386-387; People v. Szadziewicz, supra, 161 Cal.App.4th at p. 836.)

Other Questions


Can defense counsel argue that defense counsel failed to object to the foregoing procedure or request that written instructions be provided to the jury? (California, United States of America)
If defense counsel failed to request instructions on voluntary intoxication and mental impairment, would this be ineffective assistance? (California, United States of America)
When there is no substantial evidence to warrant a self-defense instruction, does McNeely's contention that counsel's failure to request the instruction constitute ineffective assistance of counsel? (California, United States of America)
What is the legal test for a defense counsel to pursue an innocence defense rather than a voluntary intoxication defense? (California, United States of America)
What is the tactical explanation for defense counsel's failure to request a voluntary intoxication instruction? (California, United States of America)
When will defense counsel decline the voluntary intoxication instruction? (California, United States of America)
Does trial counsel shirk his constitutional responsibility to provide competent counsel by failing to ask the court to instruct on a bogus self-defense defense? (California, United States of America)
Does the fact that defense counsel did not request an instruction for which there is no substantial evidence that the instruction is deficient or futile? (California, United States of America)
Does a defendant's failure to request a pinpoint instruction on voluntary intoxication as it applied to an attempted robbery constitute prejudicial ineffective assistance of counsel? (California, United States of America)
Is a prosecutor's comment that defense counsel was seeking to "distract the jury from the evidence as an attack on counsel's integrity a fair response to defense counsel's remarks? (California, United States of America)
X



Alexi white


"The most advanced legal research software ever built."

Trusted by top litigators from across North America.