Opinion ID: 1199062
Heading Depth: 4
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Trial Court's Failure to Give Cautionary Instruction

Text: (14) We reject defendant's claim that the trial court erred in failing to instruct the jury on its own motion that Wendy's testimony should be viewed with caution. In People v. Thomas (1978) 20 Cal.3d 457, 471 [143 Cal. Rptr. 215, 573 P.2d 433], we said that the giving of such an instruction was committed to the discretion of the trial court. When, as here, the testimony of a child is involved, the trial court is under no duty to give a cautionary instruction on its own motion. [8] (See People v. Gonzalez (1990) 51 Cal.3d 1179, 1209-1210 [275 Cal. Rptr. 729, 800 P.2d 1159]; People v. Hovey (1988) 44 Cal.3d 543, 565-566 [244 Cal. Rptr. 121, 749 P.2d 776].)