California, United States of America
The following excerpt is from People v. RAMIREZ, B213480, No. PA061597 (Cal. App. 2010):
In general, the trial court has the duty to instruct the jury sua sponte as to the principles of law relevant to the issues raised by the evidence. (People v. Wims (1995) 10 Cal.4th 293, 303.) This duty includes the duty to instruct on defenses where it appears the defendant is relying on those defenses or there is substantial evidence supportive of the defenses. (People v. Breverman (1998) 19 Cal.4th 142, 157.)
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