Source: https://www.wklaw.com/corporal-injury-spouse-prosecution.html
Timestamp: 2019-04-25 09:57:36+00:00

Document:
If you or a loved one are being charged with corporal injury upon a spouse, it is important that you understand how the prosecution works under California Penal Code Section 273.5. Prosecutors know how to prove guilt of corporal injury upon a spouse charges in California, so you must know what kind of case is being built against you. It is critical that you have a skilled attorney working to build the best defense possible on your behalf.
The length and continuity of the relationship.
3. A traumatic condition (a wound or other injury to the body caused by physical force, regardless of whether the wound is minor or serious) resulted from the injury.
For your review, we have added the jury instructions that pertain to Corporal Injury on Spouse (PC 273.5). The judge will read these jury instructions to the jury in the event that your case goes to a jury trial. In addition, we have included the “general” criminal jury instructions (Click Here) along with decisions reached by the California Supreme Court and the various Courts of Appeals in California as it relates to how the judge should properly instruct the jury in all criminal cases.
Prosecution for PC 273.5 charges in California can result in significant penalties, so it is critical that you have the best defense possible. At Wallin & Klarich, we have we have offices in Orange County, Los Angeles, Riverside, San Bernardino, Victorville, San Diego, West Covina and Ventura. No matter where you live in Southern California, we have an office location near you. In order to have the best chance possible of prevailing in your case, it is important that you call Wallin & Klarich as soon as possible at (877) 4-NO-JAIL or (877) 466-5245 so we can make sure your side of the story is effectively represented. We will be there when you call.
California Jury Instructions Relating To Penal Code 273.5 Case.
Judicial Council of California Criminal Jury Instruction 840: Inflicting Injury on Spouse, Cohabitant, or Fellow Parent Resulting in Traumatic Condition (Penal Code § 273.5(a)).
2 The injury inflicted by the defendant resulted in a traumatic condition.
3 The condition would not have happened without the injury.
The court has a sua sponte duty to give an instruction defining the elements of the crime.
If there is sufficient evidence that an alleged victim’s injuries were caused by an accident, the court has a sua sponte duty to instruct on accident. (People v. Gonzales (1999) 74 Cal.App.4th 382, 390 [88 Cal.Rptr.2d 111].) Give CALCRIM No. 3404, Accident.
Give the bracketed language “[and unlawfully]” in element 1 if there is evidence that the defendant acted in self-defense.
If the defendant is charged with an enhancement for a prior conviction for a similar offense within seven years and has not stipulated to the prior conviction, give CALCRIM No. 3100, Prior Conviction: Nonbifurcated Trial. If the court has granted a bifurcated trial, see CALCRIM No. 3101, Prior Conviction: Bifurcated Trial.
If there is evidence that the traumatic condition resulted from strangulation or suffocation, consider instructing according to the special definition provided in Pen. Code, § 273.5(c).
Elements. Pen. Code, § 273.5(a).
Traumatic Condition Defined. Pen. Code, § 273.5(c); People v. Gutierrez (1985) 171 Cal.App.3d 944, 952 [217 Cal.Rptr. 616].
Willful Defined. Pen. Code, § 7, subd. 1; see People v. Lara (1996) 44 Cal.App.4th 102, 107 [51 Cal.Rptr.2d 402].
Cohabitant Defined. People v. Holifield (1988) 205 Cal.App.3d 993, 1000 [252 Cal.Rptr. 729]; People v. Ballard (1988) 203 Cal.App.3d 311, 318–319 [249 Cal.Rptr. 806].
Direct Application of Force. People v. Jackson (2000) 77 Cal.App.4th 574, 580 [91 Cal.Rptr.2d 805].
Duty to Define Traumatic Condition. People v. Burns (1948) 88 Cal.App.2d 867, 873–874 [200 P.2d 134].
Strangulation and Suffocation. Pen. Code, § 273.5(c).
General Intent Crime. See People v. Thurston (1999) 71 Cal.App.4th 1050, 1055 [84 Cal.Rptr.2d 221]; People v. Campbell (1999) 76 Cal.App.4th 305, 307–309 [90 Cal.Rptr.2d 315]; contra, People v. Rodriguez (1992) 5 Cal.App.4th 1398, 1402 [7 Cal.Rptr.2d 495] [dictum].
Simultaneous Cohabitation. People v. Moore (1996) 44 Cal.App.4th 1323, 1335 [52 Cal.Rptr.2d 256].
1 Witkin & Epstein, California Criminal Law (3d ed. 2000) Crimes Against the Person, §§ 63, 64.
6 Millman, Sevilla & Tarlow, California Criminal Defense Practice, Ch. 142, Crimes Against the Person, § 142.13 (Matthew Bender).
Attempted Infliction of Corporal Punishment on Spouse. Pen. Code, §§ 664, 273.5(a); People v. Kinsey (1995) 40 Cal.App.4th 1621, 1627, 1628 [47 Cal.Rptr.2d 769] [attempt requires intent to cause traumatic condition, but does not require a resulting “traumatic condition”].
Misdemeanor Battery. Pen. Code, §§ 242, 243(a); see People v. Gutierrez (1985) 171 Cal.App.3d 944, 952 [217 Cal.Rptr. 616].
Battery Against Spouse, Cohabitant, or Fellow Parent. Pen. Code, § 243(e)(1); see People v. Jackson (2000) 77 Cal.App.4th 574, 580 [91 Cal.Rptr.2d 805].
Simple Assault. Pen. Code, §§ 240, 241(a); People v. Van Os (1950) 96 Cal.App.2d 204, 206 [214 P.2d 554].

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