The following excerpt is from Harris v. Lewis, 892 F.2d 1046 (9th Cir. 1989):
A petitioner challenging the correctness of jury instructions is not entitled to federal habeas corpus relief unless "the ailing instruction by itself so infected the entire trial that the resulting conviction violates due process." Cupp v. Naughten, 414 U.S. 141, 147 (1973). In determining the validity of jury instructions "a single instruction to a jury must be viewed in the context of the overall charge." Id. at 146.
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.