Tag Archives: Sample Instructions


Motive Instruction: Clarification Of Problematic Burden Shifting Language
March 14th, 2017

As revised in August 2016, CALCRIM 370 provides as follows: The People are not required to prove that the defendant had a motive to commit (any of the crimes/the crime) charged. In reaching your verdict you may, however, consider whether the defendant had a motive. Having a motive may be a factor tending to show that the defendant […]


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Defense Theory: BAC of Less than 0.05% Warrants Rebuttal Presumption That Defendant Was Not Under the Influence
November 27th, 2015

VC § 23610(a)(1), provides “[i]f there was at that time less than 0.05 percent, by weight, of alcohol in the person’s blood, it shall be presumed that the person was not under the influence of an alcoholic beverage at the time of the alleged offense.” Thus, there is a statutory presumption that a defendant was […]


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Small Amount of Controlled Substance Relevant to Knowledge
November 16th, 2015

CC 2376 defines usable amount as an amount in a quantity sufficient to be used as a controlled substance, claiming that there is no requirement that the amount be enough to affect the user. However, the California Supreme Court has made it clear that a very small amount of a controlled substance is relevant to […]


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Marijuana Distribution: Minimal Movement as Defense Theory
November 13th, 2015

CC 2361 defines the term “transports” as carrying or moving an item from one location to another, even if the distance is short. However, minimal movement that does not facilitate use or trafficking does not qualify as transportation. The requirement of volitional transport of methamphetamine from one location to another avoids any unwarranted extension of […]


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The Defendant Has No Burden Of Proof Re: Consent
October 16th, 2015

The Related Issues to CC 1700 state that “consent by the owner or occupant of property may constitute a defense to burglary.” However, no instruction is provided for this purpose. The Court of Appeal in People v. Sherow (2011) 196 Cal. App. 4th 1296, disapproved a consent instruction put together by a trial judge because […]


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Instruction on Necessary Intent to Commit the Act without Consent of the Victim
October 9th, 2015

People v. Dillon (2009) 174 Cal. App. 4th 1367, upheld a conviction using CC 890 in conjunction with CC 1045 dealing with the target offense of sexual penetration by force or fear. However, in 2010, when the same defendant in the Dillon case filed a petition for writ of habeas corpus in a federal court, […]


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What Is A “Major Participant” Within The Meaning Of Penal Code 190.2(d)?
March 7th, 2015

  Penal Code Section 190.2 (d) was enacted to bring California law into conformity with the High Court’s decision in Tison v. Arizona (1987) 481 U.S. 137 and the statutory language of section 190.2(d) derives verbatim from the decision in Tison. (People v. Estrada (1995) 11 Cal.4th 568, 575.) Tison held that the Eighth Amendment […]


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Rejection or Disbelief of Alibi or Third Party Guilt Evidence
February 23rd, 2015

This post [0003 Centeno] discusses the problem of juror confusion regarding whether rejection or disbelief of defense evidence can supply proof that is missing from the prosecution’s evidence. This risk is particularly high with defenses such as alibi and third party guilt. The greatest danger of diluting the burden of proof in such cases is […]


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