Proper to Tell Jury to Use Magnifying Glass to Examine Exhibit Photos
April 21st, 2020
Jury conduct that amounts to critical examination of the evidence admitted, as opposed to conduct resulting in the acquisition of new evidence, is not juror misconduct. Improper experiments by the jury are those that allow the jury to discover new evidence by considering areas not examined during trial. Conduct that is simply a more critical […]
Tags: CC 101, CC 332, Expert Testimony, Jury Misconduct
Is There a Disconnect Between the CALCRIM Expert Witness Instructions (CC 332 and CC 360) and People V. Sanchez (2016) 63 Cal.4th 665
June 22nd, 2018
In its March 2018 revision of CC 360 CALCRIM added a citation to Sanchez but failed to explain the crucial changes that case made to the law regarding an expert’s reliance on hearsay. Nor did Calcrim suggest any revisions to the instructional language in light of Sanchez. Furthermore, as to CC 332 [Expert Witness Testimony] […]
Tags: CC 332, CC 360, Expert Testimony, Hearsay
Mens Rea and PTSD
August 22nd, 2016
People v. Herrera (2016) 247 CA4th 467 held that exclusion of psychiatric testimony regarding the defendant’s post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) required reversal of his murder conviction. PC 28 and 29 limit the use of mental disorder evidence to negate a defendant’s capacity to form any mental state is prohibited, but may be offered on the […]
Tags: CC 3428, Defense Theory Instructions, Defense Theory: Mens Rea/Intent, Defenses and Defense Theories: Basic Principles, Expert Testimony, Mens Rea, Murder
Juror Misconduct: Critical Examination of Evidence vs. Acquisition of New Evidence
July 18th, 2016
Jury conduct that amounts to critical examination of the evidence admitted, as opposed to conduct resulting in the acquisition of new evidence, is not juror misconduct. Improper experiments by the jury are those that allow the jury to discover new evidence by considering areas not examined during trial. Conduct that is simply a more critical […]
Tags: CC 101, CC 332, Expert Testimony, Jury Misconduct