California, United States of America
The following excerpt is from The People v. Oliveira, G042004, Super. Ct. No. 05HF2101 (Cal. App. 2010):
When a jury asks a question after retiring for deliberation, "[s]ection 1138 imposes upon the court a duty to provide the jury with information the jury desires on points of law." (People v. Smithey (1999) 20 Cal.4th 936, 985.) But "[t]his does not mean the court must always elaborate on the standard instructions. Where the original instructions are themselves full and complete, the court has discretion under section 1138 to determine what additional explanations are sufficient to satisfy the jury's request for information." (People v. Beardslee (1991) 53 Cal.3d 68, 97.) We review for an abuse of discretion any error under section 1138. (People v. Waidla (2000) 22 Cal.4th 690, 746-747.)
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