What is the test for brandishing a weapon under the elements test of assault with a deadly weapon?

California, United States of America


The following excerpt is from People v. Canedos, B307948 (Cal. App. 2021):

"[A] lesser offense is necessarily included in a greater offense if either the statutory elements of the greater offense, or the facts actually alleged in the accusatory pleading, include all the elements of the lesser offense, such that the greater cannot be committed without also committing the lesser." (People v. Birks

(1998) 19 Cal.4th 108, 117.) "[E]ven absent a request, and even over the parties' objections, the trial court must instruct on a lesser offense necessarily included in the charged offense if there is substantial evidence the defendant is guilty only of the lesser." (Id. at p. 118.) If a crime does not fit the definition of a lesser included offense, and is merely a lesser-related offense, the defendant is not entitled to an instruction on the offense. (Id. at p. 136.)

Brandishing is not a lesser included offense of assault with a deadly weapon under the elements test. As the court explained in People v. Steele (2000) 83 Cal.App.4th 212, although a defendant will ordinarily brandish a weapon before using it to assault the victim, "it is theoretically possible to assault someone with a firearm without exhibiting the firearm in a rude, angry or threatening manner, e.g., firing or pointing it from concealment, or behind the victim's back." (Id. at p. 218.) The same is true of assaults with deadly weapons other than firearms, such as knives, and we see no reason to depart from the court's reasoning in Steele.

Other Questions


Is a conviction for assault with a deadly weapon reduced from assault with deadly weapon to simple assault? (California, United States of America)
Does a jury's acquittal of an assault with a deadly weapon constitute an acquittal on the assault charge or a finding of not guilty of assault with deadly weapon? (California, United States of America)
What is the test for determining whether a prior assault with a deadly weapon was an assault with deadly weapon or an assault by means of force likely to produce great bodily injury? (California, United States of America)
Does a jury have to consider the definition of "deadly weapon" in their instructions to the jury on the crime of assault with a deadly weapon? (California, United States of America)
What is the difference between assault with a deadly weapon and assault with intent to commit murder? (California, United States of America)
Does the Attorney General have any responsibility for omitting the definition of the element of assault with a deadly weapon? (California, United States of America)
Can a defendant be punished for both illegal possession of a weapon and assault with a deadly weapon under section 654 of the California Criminal Code? (California, United States of America)
Is a conviction for assault with a deadly weapon under section 245(1) of the California Criminal Code equivalent to an assault with the same amount of force? (California, United States of America)
What are the elements of assault with a deadly weapon? (California, United States of America)
Does the court have a duty to instruct the jury on the elements of battery, false imprisonment, and assault with a deadly weapon? (California, United States of America)
X



Alexi white


"The most advanced legal research software ever built."

Trusted by top litigators from across North America.