unwarranted instruction (Kentucky) · Go Syfert
← Kentucky issues

unwarranted instruction in Kentucky

7 Kentucky opinions name it 2 courts 1999–2025 6 in the last five years

The cases below were cited by Kentucky courts in a sentence that names this issue. Sides come from how each citing opinion treated the case (Syfertize flag on that citation), so a case can appear on both: that is where the law is contested. A red or yellow chip is the case's own overall treatment.

Followed or applied (6)

CaseFollowedCited
Commonwealth v. Caudillgreen
moctapp · 2018 · cited in 5 Kentucky opinions naming this issue, 2025–2025
2 sentences

2025This applies “[w]hen the error arises from giving an unwarranted instruction or failing to give a warranted instruction[.]” Commonwealth v. Caudill, 540 S.W.3d 364, 367 (Ky. 2018).

2025Accordingly, “[w]hen the error arises from giving an unwarranted instruction or failing to give a warranted instruction, we review the decision for abuse of discretion.” Commonwealth v. Caudill, 540 S.W.3d 364, 367 (Ky. 2018) (citing Shaffer 467 S.W.3d at 203 ).

55
Harp v. Commonwealthgreen
ky · 2008 · cited in 2 Kentucky opinions naming this issue, 2025–2025
2 sentences

2025An “erroneous jury instruction may sometimes be an unfortunate, yet ultimately harmless error” but “erroneous instructions to the jury are presumed to be prejudicial” and “an appellee claiming harmless error bears the burden of -20- showing affirmatively that no prejudice resulted from the error.” Harp v. Commonwealth, 266 S.W.3d 813, 818 (Ky. 2008) (footnotes, internal quotation marks, and citations omitted).

2025An “erroneous jury instruction may sometimes be an unfortunate, yet ultimately harmless error” but “erroneous instructions to the jury are presumed to be prejudicial” and “an appellee claiming harmless error bears the burden of -20- showing affirmatively that no prejudice resulted from the error.” Harp v. Commonwealth, 266 S.W.3d 813, 818 (Ky. 2008) (footnotes, internal quotation marks, and citations omitted).

22
Sargent v. Shaffergreen
ky · 2015 · cited in 2 Kentucky opinions naming this issue, 2022–2025
2 sentences

2025Accordingly, “[w]hen the error arises from giving an unwarranted instruction or failing to give a warranted instruction, we review the decision for abuse of discretion.” Commonwealth v. Caudill, 540 S.W.3d 364, 367 (Ky. 2018) (citing Shaffer 467 S.W.3d at 203 ).

2022Sargent v. Shaffer, 467 S.W.3d 198, 203 (Ky. 2015).

12
Allen v. Commonwealthgreen
ky · 2011 · cited in 1 Kentucky opinions naming this issue, 2025–2025
1 sentence

2025No instruction is warranted, of course, unless supported by the evidence, and thus “an instruction on a lesser included offense is appropriate if, and only if, on the given evidence a reasonable juror could entertain a reasonable doubt of the defendant's guilt on the greater charge, but believe beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant is guilty of the lesser charge.” Allen v. Commonwealth, 338 S.W.3d 252, 255 (Ky. 2011) (quoting Osborne v. Commonwealth, 43 S.W.3d 234, 244 (Ky. 2001)).

11
Osborne v. Commonwealthgreen
ky · 2001 · cited in 1 Kentucky opinions naming this issue, 2025–2025
1 sentence

2025No instruction is warranted, of course, unless supported by the evidence, and thus “an instruction on a lesser included offense is appropriate if, and only if, on the given evidence a reasonable juror could entertain a reasonable doubt of the defendant's guilt on the greater charge, but believe beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant is guilty of the lesser charge.” Allen v. Commonwealth, 338 S.W.3d 252, 255 (Ky. 2011) (quoting Osborne v. Commonwealth, 43 S.W.3d 234, 244 (Ky. 2001)).

11
Caretenders, Inc. v. Commonwealthgreen
ky · 1991 · cited in 1 Kentucky opinions naming this issue, 1999–1999
2 sentences

1999While we have held that it would be palpable error to instruct the jury on an offense not contained in the indictment, Caretenders, Inc. v. Commonwealth, Ky., 821 S.W.2d 83, 86 (1991), we are cited to no authority holding it to be palpable error to give an unwarranted instruction on a lesser included offense of the offense charged in the indictment.

1999While we have held that it would be palpable error to instruct the jury on an offense not contained in the indictment, Caretenders, Inc. v. Commonwealth, Ky., 821 S.W.2d 83 , 86 *536 (1991), we are cited to no authority holding it to be palpable error to give an unwarranted instruction on a lesser included offense of the offense charged in the indictment.

11

Distinguished, questioned or overruled (0)

CaseNegativeCited
No negative-treatment citations attached to this issue in Kentucky. Read the followed side critically anyway.

Also cited on this issue (1)

CaseCitedYears
Newell v. Commonwealth green
ky · 1977
2 sentences

1999Furthermore, in Newell v. Commonwealth, Ky., 549 S.W.2d 89 (1977), it was held not to have been palpable error to instruct the jury on persistent felony offender despite the Commonwealth’s failure to prove an essential element of that offense, i.e., that the defendant was over the age of eighteen when the prior felony was committed.

1999Furthermore, in Newell v. Commonwealth, Ky., 549 S.W.2d 89 (1977), it was held not to have been palpable error to instruct the jury on persistent felony offender despite the Commonwealth's failure to prove an essential element of that offense, i.e., that the defendant was over the age of eighteen when the prior felony was committed.

11999–1999

Where else courts name it

CA 12 (1911–2026) KY 7 (1999–2025) NY 6 (1928–2025) WI 6 (1901–1987) IA 5 (1932–2016) PA 5 (1996–2020) GA 5 (1983–2016) FL 4 (1988–2010) OH 3 (1998–2008) ID 3 (1975–1992) NJ 2 (1976–2020) TX 2 (1932–1998) IN 2 (1894–1968) MO 2 (1985–2018) OR 2 (1956–1979)

Opinions by the citing court's state. A doctrine retained in one state and abandoned in another shows up here as a year span that stalls.

← Caselaw search · G Cite Topics · Brief Check