Shared Flashcard Set

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Crim Pro
Bar Prep
39
Law
Post-Graduate
06/30/2008

Additional Law Flashcards

 


 

Cards

Term
4th Amendment
Definition
provides that people should be free in their “person, houses, papers, and effects” from unreasonable searches
Term
Does the Defendant have a 4th Amendment Right?
Definition

(seizure by the government concerning a place or thing in which defendant had a reasonable expectation of privacy)  Requirements:

1. Government Action

2. Reasonably Expectation of Privacy

3. Standing

Term
Government Conduct
Definition
Governmental conduct:  no protection of searches by private persons (including security guards—unless deputized)
Term
Reasonable Expectation of Privacy
Definition
Reasonable expectation of privacy:  must have reasonable expectation with respect to the place searched or item seized
Term
Standing
Definition

Standing:  determination is made on a totality of the circumstances, but a legitimate expectation exists if:

a.  person had a right of possession of the place searched;

b.  place searched was person’s home, whether or not he owned or had a right to it; or

c.  person was an overnight guest of the owner of the place searched
Term
Search warrant
Definition

Search Warrant:  generally, police must have a warrant to conduct a search unless it falls within one of the exceptions to the warrant requirement.  To obtain a search warrant, the following is required:

1. Probable Cause

2. Precise of its Face

3. Neutral and Detached Magistrate

4. Execution

Term

Warrant

 

Probable Cause

Definition
probable cause:  a warrant will be issued only if there is probable cause to believe seizable evidence will be found on the person or premises searched.  Officers must submit to a magistrate an affidavit setting forth circumstances to support it;
Term

Warrant

 

Precise on its face

Definition
precise on its face:  warrant must describe with reasonable precision the place to be searched and items to be seized
Term

Warrant

 

Neutral and detached magistrate

 

Definition
the magistrate who issues the warrant must be neutral and detached
Term

Warrant

 

Execution

Definition
execution:  only the police may execute a warrant, and it must be executed without delay.  Police must knock and announce their purpose, and wait a reasonable time for admittance.  Police may seize any contraband or fruits or instrumentalities of crime that they discover; whether or not specified on the warrant.
Term
Invalid Warrant
Definition
Invalid Warrant:  if police reasonably rely on a facially valid warrant, and it is ultimately found not to be supported by probable cause, the police may use the evidence obtained based on the warrant.
Term
Exceptions to the warrant requirement
Definition

1. Search incident to a lawful arrest

2. automobile exception

3. Plain view

4. Consent

5. Stop and Frisk

6. Hot Persuit

 

Term
Search Incident to a lawful arrest
Definition
search incident to a lawful arrest:  an arrest must be based on probable cause (i.e. trustworthy facts or knowledge sufficient for a reasonable person to believe that the suspect has committed or is committing a crime).  Incident to lawful arrests, the police may search the person and areas into which the he might reach to obtain weapons or destroy evidence (including the entire passenger compartment of a car).  The police may also make a protective sweep of the area of they think accomplices may be present, and may do an inventory search of the belongings at the police station.  Note:  if an arrest is unlawful, any search incident to that arrest is also unlawful.
Term
Automobile Exception
Definition
“automobile” exception:  if police have probable cause to believe that a vehicle contains fruits, instrumentalities, or evidence of a crime, they may search the entire vehicle and any container that might reasonably contain the item.  The rationale behind this exception is that autos are inherently mobile, and there is a risk of losing the evidence.   Note:  if police have probable cause only to search a container in a vehicle, they not search other parts of the vehicle.
Term
Plain View
Definition

plain view:  the following elements are required to establish “plain view”:

a.  the police are legitimately on the premises;

b.  the police discover evidence, fruits or instrumentalities of crime, or contraband;

c.  such evidence is in plain view; and

d.  the police have probable cause to believe the item is evidence, contraband, or a fruit or instrumentality of crime.
Term
Consent
Definition

consent:  a warrantless search is valid if police have a voluntary and intelligent consent.  Authority to consent—any person with an apparent equal right to use or occupy the property may consent to a search, and any evidence found may be used against the other owners or occupants.

Term
Stop and Frisk
Definition
stop and frisk:  police may stop a person without probable cause for arrest if they have an articulable and reasonable suspicion (this is less than probable cause) of criminal activity.  If the police reasonably believe the person may be armed and presently dangerous, they may conduct a protective frisk (usually limited to a patdown of outer clothing).
Term
Hot Pursuit
Definition
hot pursuit:  no general rule, but police may make a warrantless search and seizure of a fleeing felon (usually must be no more than 15 minutes behind him), and may even pursue him into a private dwelling; police may seize without a warrant evidence likely to disappear before a warrant can be obtained; and contaminated food or drugs, children in danger, and burning fires may justify a warrantless search or seizure.
Term
5th Amendment
Definition
5th AMENDMENT:  provides a privilege to be free against compelled self-incrimination and to be free from double jeopardy.
Term
Self Incrimination
Definition

Self-incrimination:  for an admission or confession to be admissible under the 5th Amendment, a person in custody must, prior to interrogation, be informed in substance that (1) he has a right to remain silent; (2) anything said can be used against him in court; (3) he has the right to an attorney; and (4) if he cannot afford an attorney, one will be appointed to him if he so desires.

Term
Waiver
Definition
Waiver:  a suspect can waive his Miranda rights, but the prosecution must prove it was knowing, voluntary, and intelligent
Term
Custody Requirement
Definition
Custody requirement:  whether a person is in custody depends on whether the person’s freedom of action is denied in a significant way based on the objective circumstances.  Note:  a traffic stop is not custody; neither are probation interviews.
Term
Interrogation
Definition

Interrogation requirement:  “interrogation” includes any words or conduct by police that they should know would likely elicit a response from the defendant.

a.  right to terminate interrogation:  an accused may terminate police interrogation any time prior to or during the interrogation by invoking either the right to remain silent or the right to counsel

b.  right to counsel:  if the accused unambiguously indicates that he wishes to speak to counsel,all questioning must cease until counsel has been provided unless the accused then waives his right to counsel (e.g. by reinitiating questioning).  Note:  this is the 5th Amend. right to counsel, deriving from Miranda.  6th Amend. right to counsel requires that formal proceedings have begun, and is offense specific, so he may be questioned on unrelated charges without violating 6th. 

Term
Impeachment
Definition
Impeachment:  generally, evidence obtained in violation of Miranda is inadmissible under the exclusionary rule.  However, statements in violation of Miranda may be used to impeach defendant’s trial testimony, but may not be used to show guilt.
Term
Double Jeopardy
Definition
Double Jeopardy:  under the 5th Amendment, a person may not be tried for the same offense once jeopardy has attached.  Jeopardy attaches in a jury trial at the empanelling and swearing of the jury.  In bench trials, jeopardy attaches when the first witness is sworn.
Term
Double Jeopardy Exceptions
Definition

Exceptions permitting retrial:

1.  a state may retry a defendant whose first trial ends in a hung jury;

2.  a trial may be discontinued and defendant reprosecuted for the same offense when there is a manifest necessity to abort the original trial or when termination occurs at the behest of the defendant on any ground not constituting acquittal on merits

3.  a state may retry a defendant who has successfully appealed a conviction unless the ground for reversal was insufficient evidence to support a guilty verdict.  Retrial is permitted when reversal is based on the weight of the evidence.  However, on retrial, a defendant may not be tried for a greater offense than that for which he was convicted;

4.  charges may be reinstated after a defendant breaches his plea bargain.
Term
6th Amendment
Definition
6th AMENDMENT:  provides a right to counsel, right to a speedy trial, right to a jury trial, and right to confront witnesses
Term
Right to Counsel
Definition

Right to counsel:  6th Amend. guarantees the right to assistance of counsel in all criminal proceedings, which include all critical stages of prosecution after judicial proceedings have begun.  Note:  photo identifications, fingerprinting, and handwriting exemplars even after formal charges have been brought do not require a right to counsel.

1.  effective counsel:  effective assistance of counsel is generally presumed.  For ineffective assistance, defendant must show:

a.  deficient performance by counsel; and

b.  but for the deficiency, the result of the proceeding would have been different (i.e. no conviction or shorter sentence)
Term
Right to a Speedy Trial
Definition
Right to a speedy trial:  whether this has been violated is made based on a totality of the circumstances.  The right attaches when defendant is arrested or charged.  Factors considered are length of delay; reason for delay; prejudice to defendant.
Term
Right to a Jury Trial
Definition

Right to a jury trial:  this right exists only for serious offenses (i.e. when imprisonment for more than 6 months is authorized)

1.  cross-section of community:  right to have the jury selected from a representative cross-section of the community

2.  impartial jury:  if a juror expresses doubts or scruples about the death penalty, it must be determined if the views would substantially impair his performance; if juror favors death penalty, remove for cause if he would impose automatically on a guilty verdict.  Note:  defendant can use a peremptory challenge to disqualify any juror not disqualified by cause.

3.  number of jurors:  there is no constitutional right to a jury of 12, but there must be at least 6 jurors to satisfy the right to a jury trial.  Note:  there is no rule for unanimity, although 6-person juries must be unanimous.
Term
Right to Confront Witnesses
Definition
Right to confront witnesses:  6th Amend. grants defendant the right in a criminal prosecution to confront adverse witnesses.  The right is not absolute:  it may be overcome to serve an important public purpose (e.g. child witnesses).
Term
Guilty Pleas
Definition
GUILTY PLEAS:  a guilty plea is a waiver of the 6th Amend. right to a jury trial.
Term
Elements of a valid guilty plea
Definition

Valid guilty plea:  to be valid, the plea must be voluntary and intelligent, and the judge must inform the defendant personally and on the record of:

1.  the nature of the charge to which the plea is offered;

2.  the maximum possible penalty and of any mandatory minimum sentence;

3.  the defendant’s right not to plead guilty; and

4.  the fact that by defendant’s pleading guilty, defendant waives his right to a trial.
Term
Attacking the plea bargain after sentencing
Definition
Attacking the plea bargain after sentencing:  a plea can be set aside for (1) involuntariness (failure of standards above); (2) lack of jurisdiction by the court; (3) ineffective assistance of counsel; or (4) the prosecutor failing to keep the plea bargain
Term
Exclusion
Definition

EXCLUSION:  the constitutionally required remedy for illegal search and seizure or a coerced confession is exclusion of the evidence.  Under the rule, illegally obtained evidence is inadmissible at trial, and all “fruit of the poisonous tree” must also be excluded.

Term
Fruit of the Poisonous Tree
Definition

"Fruit of the Poisonous Tree”:  any evidence obtained from exploitation of the illegally obtained evidence must also be excluded at trial.  Exceptions to this doctrine are:

1.  evidence obtained from a source independent of the original illegality;

2.  in intervening act of free will by the defendant (e.g. defendant is illegally arrested, but later returns and confesses); or

3.  inevitable discovery (i.e. prosecutor can show that police would have discovered it without acting unconstitutionally)
Term
Limitations of the Exclusion Rule
Definition

Limitations on the rule of exclusion: 

1.  the rule is inapplicable to grand juries (unless the evidence was obtained in violation of federal wiretapping statutes); parole revocation proceedings; civil proceedings; or where the evidence was obtained contrary only to agency rules.

2.  the rule does not apply when police acted in good faith based on:

   a.  case law;

   b.  a facially valid statute or ordinance; or

   c.  a computer report containing clerical errors not made by the police

3.  the rule also does not apply when police act in good faith relying on a defective search warrant, unless: 

   a.  the underlying affidavit was so lacking in probable cause that it could not reasonably be relied on;

   b.  the warrant was defective on its face;

   c.  the affiant lied to or misled the magistrate; or

   d.  the magistrate has “wholly abandoned his judicial role” (i.e. a non-neutral magistrate—the porn judge)

Term
8th Amendment
Definition
Cruel and Unusual Punishment
Term
14th Amendment
Definition
Due Process.  (1) Burden of proof is on prosecution to prove beyond a reasonable doubt.  (2) unlawful identifications.
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