BENCH NOTES

Instructional Duty

This instruction should only be given on request. (Carter v. Kentucky (1981) 450 U.S. 288, 300 [101 S.Ct. 1112, 67 L.Ed.2d 241]; People v. Evans (1998) 62 Cal.App.4th 186, 191 [72 Cal.Rptr.2d 543].)

The court has no sua sponte duty to seek a personal waiver of the instruction from the defendant. (People v. Towey (2001) 92 Cal.App.4th 880, 884 [112 Cal.Rptr.2d 326].)

The United States Supreme Court has held that the court may give this instruction over the defendant’s objection (Lakeside v. Oregon (1978) 435 U.S. 333, 340–341 [98 S.Ct. 1091, 55 L.Ed.2d 319]), but as a matter of state judicial policy, the California Supreme Court has found otherwise. (People v. Roberts (1992) 2 Cal.4th 271, 314 [6 Cal.Rptr.2d 276, 826 P.2d 274] [“[T]he purpose of the instruction is to protect the defendant, and if the defendant does not want it given the trial court should accede to that request, notwithstanding the lack of a constitutional requirement to do so.”].)

AUTHORITY

• Instructional Requirements. People v. Lewis (1990) 50 Cal.3d 262, 282 [266 Cal.Rptr. 834, 786 P.2d 892] [no sua sponte duty to instruct].

119.

355. Defendant’s Right Not to Testify Page 119
355. Defendant’s Right Not to Testify Page 120

(Pub 1284)

Copyright 2008 Judicial Council of California. 

California Criminal Jury Instructions-CALCRIM-Table of Contents
California Criminal Jury Instructions-CALCRIM-Volume 1 Table of Contents 
California Jury Instructions-CALCRIM-Vol. 1. General Instructions