What is the test for determining whether a defendant can plead guilty to a lesser charge of sexual assault?
California, United States of America
The following excerpt is from People v. Moreno, F074533 (Cal. App. 2019):
" 'The trial court is obligated to instruct the jury on all general principles of law relevant to the issues raised by the evidence, whether or not the defendant makes a formal request.' [Citations.] 'That obligation encompasses instructions on lesser included offenses if there is evidence that, if accepted by the trier of fact, would absolve the defendant of guilt of the greater offense but not of the lesser.' [Citations.]" (People v. Rogers (2006) 39 Cal.4th 826, 866.)
"To determine if an offense is lesser and necessarily included in another offense for this purpose, we apply either the elements test or the accusatory pleading test. 'Under the elements test, if the statutory elements of the greater offense include all of the statutory elements of the lesser offense, the latter is necessarily included in the former. Under the accusatory pleading test, if the facts actually alleged in the accusatory pleading include all of the elements of the lesser offense, the latter is necessarily included in the former.' [Citation.]" (People v. Shockley (2013) 58 Cal.4th 400, 404.)
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