CEB and CJER Publish Handbook on Required Jury Instructions in Criminal Cases

OAKLAND, CALIF.—California legal professionals involved in criminal jury trials can save countless hours and avoid costly missteps, thanks to a new edition of the California Center for Judicial Education and Research (CJER)'s Mandatory Criminal Jury Instructions Handbook, published by Continuing Education of the Bar.

This handbook lists the offense-specific instructions the trial court must give sua sponte in criminal jury trials, arranged by offense and keyed to California Jury Instructions-Criminal (CALJIC). The book (formerly published by Thomson-West) also lists generally applicable required instructions, instructions that must be given when the facts call for them, and instructions that must be given in capital cases and sanity proceedings.

Short essays on the trial court's sua sponte instructional duty and the most common instructional errors, along with information on current case law and legislation, make this book an indispensable trial preparation aid for judges and lawyers alike.

"This handbook makes it easy to get it right," says CEB Research Attorney Sara Ruddy. "For each listed offense, the book tells you which CALJIC instruction defines the elements of the offense; what mental state or intent instruction or instructions are required; what offenses are considered to be lesser included offenses; and which instructions on defenses are required in appropriate fact situations. Attorneys can use this book as a planning tool to figure out what instructions are necessary in a case, and as a checklist to make sure they haven't forgotten anything."

Mandatory Criminal Jury Instructions Handbook (CR33100, 13th edition, 171 pages, 10/04, $32.50) can be purchased online at ceb.com or by calling Customer Service at 1-800-232-3444.

CEB, a California nonprofit continuing legal education provider and publisher founded in 1947, is part of the University of California and is co-sponsored by the State Bar of California. CJER, as the Education Division of the Administrative Office of the Courts, provides a comprehensive, internationally recognized program of education and training for employees of the California judicial branch.

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