Opinion ID: 429635
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: standard of review

Text: 64 When reviewing a claim of error relating to jury instructions, the instructions must be viewed as a whole. United States v. Abushi, 682 F.2d 1289, 1299 (9th Cir.1982). Moreover, the adequacy of the entire charge must be evaluated in the context of the whole trial. United States v. James, 576 F.2d 223, 227 (9th Cir.1978). A trial judge is given substantial latitude in tailoring the instructions so long as they fairly and adequately cover the issues presented. Id. at 226. Finally, although a criminal defendant is entitled to an instruction regarding his theory of the case, challenges which merely pertain to the trial judge's language or formulation of the charge are reversible only for an abuse of discretion. Id. at 227.