Opinion ID: 2634388
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 6

Heading: Failing to Instruct on the Meaning of Life Without the Possibility of Parole

Text: Defendant asserts the term life without possibility of parole is a technical term that juries commonly misunderstand, and that the trial court prejudicially erred and violated his constitutional rights by failing, sua sponte, to instruct the jury that he would never be considered for parole were he to receive life without possibility of parole. Defendant's assertion fails under our case law, which establishes that the term `life without the possibility of parole' is clear and unambiguous and does not require `a sua sponte definitional instruction.' [Citation.] ( People v. Prieto (2003) 30 Cal.4th 226, 270, 133 Cal.Rptr.2d 18, 66 P.3d 1123.) Again, defendant offers no persuasive basis for reconsidering the issue.