California, United States of America
The following excerpt is from People v. Molinar, E071698 (Cal. App. 2019):
"Pinpoint instructions '"relate particular facts to a legal issue in the case or 'pinpoint' the crux of a defendant's case."'" (People v. Jo (2017) 15 Cal.App.5th 1128, 1173.) A defendant has a right to an instruction pinpointing the theory of defense "'if the theory proffered by the defendant is supported by substantial evidence' [citation], the instruction is a correct statement of law [citation], and the proposed instruction does not
Page 13
simply highlight specific evidence the defendant wishes the jury to consider." (Id. at p. 1174.) However, a court may properly refuse a pinpoint instruction "'[w]here standard instructions fully and adequately advise the jury upon a particular issue.'" (Ibid., citing People v. Gonzales (2012) 54 Cal.4th 1234, 1276 (Gonzales).)
The above passage should not be considered legal advice. Reliable answers to complex legal questions require comprehensive research memos. To learn more visit www.alexi.com.