What is the legal test for making a closing argument in a criminal trial?

California, United States of America


The following excerpt is from People v. Carlson, A144048 (Cal. App. 2017):

"Closing argument in a criminal trial is nothing more than a request, albeit usually lengthy and presented in narrative form, to believe each party's interpretation, proved or logically inferred from the evidence, of the events that led to the trial." (People v. Huggins (2006) 38 Cal.4th 175, 207.) " ' " 'The argument may be vigorous as long as it

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amounts to fair comment on the evidence, which can include reasonable inferences, or deductions to be drawn therefrom. [Citations.] It is also clear that counsel during summation may state matters not in evidence, but which are common knowledge or are illustrations drawn from common experience, history or literature.' " ' " (People v. Hill, supra, 17 Cal.4th at p. 819.)

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