What is the difference between a prosecutor's closing argument and the jury's verdict forms?

California, United States of America


The following excerpt is from People v. Azevedo, NO.A128379, Sonoma County Super. Ct. No. SCR530516 (Cal. App. 2011):

prosecutor's closing argument and the verdict forms, and we agree.6 The prosecutor emphasized defendant's use of a knife, a weapon he used during the first threat but not the second, and the jury verdict forms reflected this difference. The prosecutor also emphasized that the first threat was unconditional, an element of making a criminal threat ( 422). Although she briefly conflated the two threats, the prosecutor's argument as a whole communicated with sufficient clarity and directness the jury's duty to render a unanimous decision as to whether defendant's first threat violated section 422. (People v. Melhado, supra, 60 Cal.App.4th at p. 1539.)

Page 12

Other Questions


In a sexual assault case, in what circumstances would the jury have considered a defense counsel's closing argument that the prosecutor's rebuttal to the closing argument had the trial court sustained an objection? (California, United States of America)
In closing argument to a jury, in what circumstances will the jury be unable to hear closing arguments? (California, United States of America)
Does a defense counsel who objected to the prosecutor's closing argument during closing argument at a civil trial have any right to an objection? (California, United States of America)
Is there a reasonable likelihood that a prosecutor's comment at the closing argument was directed solely at the persuasive force of defense counsel's closing argument? (California, United States of America)
How have courts dealt with the situation where the verdict form signed by the jury is different in some respect from the verdict as declared and acknowledged in open court? (California, United States of America)
In what circumstances will a prosecutor be found guilty of misconduct for making an argument to the jury that the jury must convict a defendant of second-degree murder before it returns a verdict on a charge of first degree murder? (California, United States of America)
Is there any case law where a prosecutor's argument that a jury would be "damaging" to the jury has been interpreted in the context of a jury trial? (California, United States of America)
When a prosecutor makes an argument that the prosecutor was aware of the facts to the jury in a death penalty case, is it improper or improper? (California, United States of America)
Does a prosecutor's argument to the jury that society "cries out for the death penalty" mislead the jury? (California, United States of America)
What is the effect of the prosecutor's closing argument at a jury trial of a defendant in a sexual assault case? (California, United States of America)
X



Alexi white


"The most advanced legal research software ever built."

Trusted by top litigators from across North America.