Opinion ID: 2519777
Heading Depth: 4
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Kidnapping Jury Instruction

Text: {41} Defendant also challenges the jury instruction for kidnapping. He raises this argument for the first time on appeal. Because he did not object to the instruction at trial or tender an instruction, the claim of error has not been preserved. See State v. Varela, 1999-NMSC-045, ¶¶ 25-26, 128 N.M. 454, 993 P.2d 1280 (holding that to preserve an issue for appeal, it is essential that a party make a timely objection that specifically apprises the trial court of the claimed error and invokes an intelligent ruling thereon). We require a party to object at trial and invoke a ruling from the trial court in order to alert the trial court to a claim of error so that it has an opportunity to correct any mistake, Gomez, 1997-NMSC-006, ¶ 29, 122 N.M. 777, 932 P.2d 1, and to provide an adequate record for the appellate court, State v. Lucero, 116 N.M. 450, 453, 863 P.2d 1071, 1074 (1993). Under our rules of criminal procedure and appellate procedure, objections to instructions cannot be raised for the first time on appeal. See Rule 5-608(D) NMRA 2002 (requiring counsel to tender a correct written instruction to preserve claim of failing to instruct on any issue); Rule 12-216 NMRA 2002 (describing preservation requirements for appellate review). However, this Court may exercise its discretion to review for fundamental error under Rule 12-216(B). {42} The doctrine of fundamental error should be applied sparingly, to prevent a miscarriage of justice, and not to excuse the failure to make proper objections in the court below. With regard to a criminal conviction, the doctrine is resorted to only if the defendant's innocence appears indisputable or if the question of his [or her] guilt is so doubtful that it would shock the conscience to permit the conviction to stand. State v. Clark, 108 N.M. 288, 301, 772 P.2d 322, 335 (1989) (citation omitted), overruled on other grounds by State v. Henderson, 109 N.M. 655, 789 P.2d 603 (1990), overruled on other grounds by Clark v. Tansy, 118 N.M. 486, 882 P.2d 527 (1994). If there is substantial evidence ... to support the verdict of the jury, we will not resort to fundamental error. State v. Rodriguez, 81 N.M. 503, 505, 469 P.2d 148, 150 (1970). Defendant has not established fundamental error: he has not demonstrated how the challenged jury instruction resulted in a miscarriage of justice by putting the question of his guilt in doubt.