When will the court give the unanimity instruction in a murder trial?

California, United States of America


The following excerpt is from People v. Rodriguez, D069435 (Cal. App. 2016):

"In deciding whether to give the instruction, the trial court must ask whether (1) there is a risk the jury may divide on two discrete crimes and not agree on any particular crime or (2) the evidence merely presents the possibility the jury may divide, or be uncertain, as to the exact way the defendant is guilty of a single discrete crime. [Citation.] In the first situation, but not the second, it should give the unanimity instruction." (People v. Hernandez, supra, 217 Cal.App.4th at p. 570.)

Other Questions


Does a trial court have to instruct the jury to agree unanimously whether defendant committed premeditated murder or first degree felony murder? (California, United States of America)
Does a trial court have to instruct the jury to agree unanimously whether defendant committed premeditated murder or first degree felony murder? (California, United States of America)
When a defendant makes a mid-trial motion to revoke his self represented status and have standby counsel appointed for the remainder of the trial, does the trial court have a duty to manage the trial? (California, United States of America)
What is the standard of review applied by appellate courts to a decision by a trial court to instruct or not to instruct a jury? (California, United States of America)
Does the trial court have a duty to instruct the jury as to the elements of first degree murder and the required mens rea for first-degree murder? (California, United States of America)
What are the findings of the California Superior Court of Appeal on the grounds that the instructions given by defendant in his conspiracy to commit felony murder were not tantamount to felony murder instructions? (California, United States of America)
Can a defendant seek to overturn a conviction for second-degree murder by appealing against the finding that the trial court failed to instruct on the charge of second degree murder? (California, United States of America)
What is the test for a trial court to instruct on second degree murder as a lesser included offense of felony murder? (California, United States of America)
Is a defendant's claim that the trial court erred by instructing the jury on first degree murder because the information alleged only that the murder of Agent Cross was committed with malice aforethought? (California, United States of America)
Can an appellant seek review of an instruction in the Superior Court of Appeal where the original instruction was found to have made errors that could have been cured in the trial court? (California, United States of America)
X



Alexi white


"The most advanced legal research software ever built."

Trusted by top litigators from across North America.