What is the legal test for instructing a jury to convict a defendant of a lesser offence?

California, United States of America


The following excerpt is from People v. Jimenez, D068815 (Cal. App. 2016):

If testimony is reasonably susceptible to a jury's finding of a lesser offense, a sua sponte duty to instruct on that offense arises. If not, the jury may properly be presented only with the elements of the greater offense. In such a case, the evidence would support only a finding of guilt or no guilt, as charged. (People v. Leal (2009) 180 Cal.App.4th 782, 792 (Leal) [no LIO instruction required "where the evidence shows that if the defendant is guilty, he is guilty of the greater offense"].)

Page 9

Other Questions


What is the legal test for instructing a jury to convict a defendant of a lesser included offence? (California, United States of America)
Is a criminal offence punishable by multiple convictions for multiple offences punishable by the same criminal offence against the same defendant concurrent with one criminal offence? (California, United States of America)
When there is substantial evidence that a element of the charged offense is missing but that the accused is guilty of a lesser included offence, what is the test for instructing the jury to convict the accused of the same offence? (California, United States of America)
When a defendant is convicted of a secondary offence while he was out on bail for a primary offence, can he be punished for his secondary offence? (California, United States of America)
What is the test for instructing a jury to convict a defendant of a lesser included offence? (California, United States of America)
Can a court correct an error that resulted in a sentence being issued to a defendant who was convicted of a lesser crime but who is convicted of the lesser crime of assault? (California, United States of America)
What is the test for a jury to convict a defendant of a lesser, but not the greater, sex offence? (California, United States of America)
Is a defendant charged with implied malice murder entitled to a jury instruction on involuntary manslaughter as a lesser included offence? (California, United States of America)
When a defendant has been convicted of a prior criminal offence, what are the factors that determine whether the prior conviction should be admitted to the jury? (California, United States of America)
What is the test for instructional error in instructing a jury to convict a defendant on imperfect defense of others? (California, United States of America)
X



Alexi white


"The most advanced legal research software ever built."

Trusted by top litigators from across North America.