Los Angeles California Jury Instruction Impeachmenten— - Inconsistent Statement and Felony Conviction — Defendant Testifies With No Felony Conviction: In the Los Angeles, California legal system, the jury instruction pertaining to the impeachment of a defendant based on inconsistent statements and a felony conviction is a crucial aspect of criminal trials. This instruction addresses situations where a defendant is accused of making conflicting statements during their testimony and has a prior felony conviction. However, there are different types of instructions that may be given to the jury depending on the specific circumstances of the case. Let's explore some of them: 1. Instruction for Impeachment — Inconsistent Statement and Felony Conviction: This instruction informs the jury that they may consider a defendant's prior felony conviction as evidence of their credibility and character. In addition, if the defendant provides inconsistent statements during their testimony, the jury can evaluate this as well while considering the defendant's overall credibility. 2. Instruction for Impeachment — No Felony Conviction: In cases where the defendant has no prior felony conviction, this instruction guides the jury on how they should assess the defendant's credibility solely based on their inconsistent statements. It reminds the jury that the absence of a felony conviction does not mean the defendant is telling the truth and encourages them to carefully consider the inconsistencies in the defendant's testimony. 3. Instruction for Impeachment — Prior Felony Conviction Excluded: In certain circumstances, a defendant may have a prior felony conviction that is not admissible as evidence in the current trial. This instruction informs the jury that they are not allowed to consider the prior conviction for impeachment purposes and should focus solely on the defendant's inconsistent statements during their testimony. 4. Instruction for Impeachment — Limited Use of Prior Felony Conviction: This instruction is given when the court determines that the defendant's prior felony conviction is admissible only for limited purposes. It guides the jury on how they can consider the conviction while evaluating the defendant's credibility, emphasizing that they should not use it as evidence of guilt but rather as an element that may affect the defendant's believability. It is important to note that the specific instructions given to the jury may vary depending on the unique aspects of each case and the discretion of the judge. The purpose of these instructions is to provide guidance to the jury regarding the admissibility and relevance of a defendant's prior felony conviction and inconsistent statements during their testimony. Ultimately, jurors must weigh this information along with other evidence presented at trial to reach a fair and just verdict.