CALCRIM No. 1190. Other Evidence Not Required to Support Testimony in Sex Offense Case

Judicial Council of California Criminal Jury Instructions (2024 edition)

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D. EVIDENCE
1190.Other Evidence Not Required to Support Testimony in Sex
Offense Case
Conviction of a sexual assault crime may be based on the testimony of a
complaining witness alone.
New January 2006
BENCH NOTES
Instructional Duty
This instruction may be given on request if a complaining witness testifies in a sex
offense case. The court has a sua sponte duty to give CALCRIM No. 301, Single
Witness’s Testimony, in every case. (People v. Rincon-Pineda (1975) 14 Cal.3d 864,
884-885 [123 Cal.Rptr. 119, 538 P.2d 247].) Because both instructions correctly
state the law and each focuses on a different legal point, there is no implication that
the victim’s testimony is more credible than the defendant’s testimony. (People v.
Gammage (1992) 2 Cal.4th 693, 700-702 [7 Cal.Rptr.2d 541, 828 P.2d 682]
[resolving split of authority on whether the two instructions can be given together].)
AUTHORITY
• Instructional Requirements. People v. Blassingill (1988) 199 Cal.App.3d 1413,
1422 [245 Cal.Rptr. 599]; People v. Akey (1912) 163 Cal. 54, 55-56 [124 P.
718].
• Conviction of Sex Crime Sustained on Prosecutrix’s Uncorroborated Testimony.
People v. Poggi (1988) 45 Cal.3d 306, 326 [246 Cal.Rptr. 886, 753 P.2d 1082].
• Given Together With Instruction on Single Witness’s Testimony. People v.
Gammage (1992) 2 Cal.4th 693, 701-702 [7 Cal.Rptr.2d 541, 828 P.2d 682];
People v. Hollis (1991) 235 Cal.App.3d 1521, 1525-1526 [1 Cal.Rptr.2d 524].
SECONDARY SOURCES
5 Witkin & Epstein, California Criminal Law (4th ed. 2012) Criminal Trial, § 735.
4 Millman, Sevilla & Tarlow, California Criminal Defense Practice, Ch. 85,
Submission to Jury and Verdict, § 85.03[2][b] (Matthew Bender).
6 Millman, Sevilla & Tarlow, California Criminal Defense Practice, Ch. 142, Crimes
Against the Person, § 142.23[3][e][ii] (Matthew Bender).
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