Los Angeles California Jury Instruction - Character Evidence

• Category: Federal - Jury Instructions - Special Instructions
• State: Multi-State
• County: Los Angeles
• Control #: US-11CRS-11
• Format: Word; Rich Text

Description

This form contains sample jury instructions, to be used across the United States. These questions are to be used only as a model, and should be altered to more perfectly fit your own cause of action needs. Los Angeles California Jury Instruction — Character Evidence: A Detailed Description Character evidence in Los Angeles California refers to information presented in a trial that seeks to establish a person's traits, tendencies, or general reputation. It is used to help the jury assess a person's conduct and determine their guilt or innocence in a criminal case or credibility in a civil case. In Los Angeles, various types of jury instructions are provided to guide jurors on the admissibility and evaluation of character evidence. 1. Los Angeles California Jury Instruction — Character Evidence: General Rule The general rule for character evidence states that evidence of a person's character or character traits is generally not admissible to prove their conduct on a specific occasion. The law considers character evidence irrelevant and potentially prejudicial. This jury instruction guides jurors to focus on the specific evidence related to the case rather than allowing character traits to unduly influence their judgment. 2. Los Angeles California Jury Instruction — Character EvidenceExceptionsns to the general rule exist and depend on whether character evidence is presented by the prosecution or the defense. The Los Angeles California jury instruction outlines the following exceptions: a. Prosecution: Evidence of the defendant's prior bad acts or crimes may be admissible to prove their motive, opportunity, intent, preparation, plan, knowledge, identity, absence of mistake, or absence of accident. However, this evidence cannot be used to show the defendant's disposition to commit the charged crime. b. Defense: Evidence of the defendant's good character or reputation may be presented to support their claim of innocence or show the likelihood they would not commit the crime charged. This evidence should be considered by the jury in assessing the credibility of the defendant's denial or explanation. 3. Los Angeles California Jury Instruction — Character Evidence: Weighing the Evidence When character evidence is admissible, the jury instruction guides the jurors on how to evaluate such evidence. It emphasizes that character evidence alone cannot prove guilt, innocence, or a particular fact. Instead, it must be weighed against all other evidence presented during the trial. The instruction instructs jurors to determine the credibility and reliability of the character evidence, considering the source and circumstances under which it was presented. In conclusion, character evidence plays a crucial role in Los Angeles California trials by providing jurors with additional information to assess a person's conduct, credibility, or likelihood of committing a crime. While character evidence is generally inadmissible, there are exceptions for both the prosecution and the defense. Admissible character evidence should be carefully evaluated and weighed alongside all other evidence before making a judgment.

Los Angeles California Jury Instruction — Character Evidence: A Detailed Description Character evidence in Los Angeles California refers to information presented in a trial that seeks to establish a person's traits, tendencies, or general reputation. It is used to help the jury assess a person's conduct and determine their guilt or innocence in a criminal case or credibility in a civil case. In Los Angeles, various types of jury instructions are provided to guide jurors on the admissibility and evaluation of character evidence. 1. Los Angeles California Jury Instruction — Character Evidence: General Rule The general rule for character evidence states that evidence of a person's character or character traits is generally not admissible to prove their conduct on a specific occasion. The law considers character evidence irrelevant and potentially prejudicial. This jury instruction guides jurors to focus on the specific evidence related to the case rather than allowing character traits to unduly influence their judgment. 2. Los Angeles California Jury Instruction — Character EvidenceExceptionsns to the general rule exist and depend on whether character evidence is presented by the prosecution or the defense. The Los Angeles California jury instruction outlines the following exceptions: a. Prosecution: Evidence of the defendant's prior bad acts or crimes may be admissible to prove their motive, opportunity, intent, preparation, plan, knowledge, identity, absence of mistake, or absence of accident. However, this evidence cannot be used to show the defendant's disposition to commit the charged crime. b. Defense: Evidence of the defendant's good character or reputation may be presented to support their claim of innocence or show the likelihood they would not commit the crime charged. This evidence should be considered by the jury in assessing the credibility of the defendant's denial or explanation. 3. Los Angeles California Jury Instruction — Character Evidence: Weighing the Evidence When character evidence is admissible, the jury instruction guides the jurors on how to evaluate such evidence. It emphasizes that character evidence alone cannot prove guilt, innocence, or a particular fact. Instead, it must be weighed against all other evidence presented during the trial. The instruction instructs jurors to determine the credibility and reliability of the character evidence, considering the source and circumstances under which it was presented. In conclusion, character evidence plays a crucial role in Los Angeles California trials by providing jurors with additional information to assess a person's conduct, credibility, or likelihood of committing a crime. While character evidence is generally inadmissible, there are exceptions for both the prosecution and the defense. Admissible character evidence should be carefully evaluated and weighed alongside all other evidence before making a judgment.