Term
| What does the fourth amendment prohibit? |
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Definition
| Unreasonable search and seizure |
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Term
| What does the 5th Amendment provide? |
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Definition
| The privilage against compulsory self incrimination, and the prohibition against double jeopardy |
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Term
| What rights does the 6th amendment grant? |
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Definition
They mostly deal with trials:
Right to speedy trial
Right to public trial
Right to trial by jury
Right to onfront witnesses
Compulsory process for obtaining witnesses
&
Right to assistance of counsel in felony cases and in misdemeanor cases in which imprisonment is imposed |
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Term
| What does the 8th Amendment provide? |
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Definition
| The prohibition of cruel and unusual punishment, prisoner rights |
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Term
| What is the Exclusionary rule? |
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Definition
| A judge-made doctrine that prohibits the introduction of evidence obtained in violation of a defendant's 4th, 5th and 6th am rights or a federal statute. Under the rule, illegally obtained evidence is inadmissable at trial, and all "fruit of the poisonous tree" must also be excluded. |
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Term
| In what 3 proceedings is the Exclusionary rule not available? |
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Definition
1) grand jury proceedings (grand jury witness may be compelled to testify based on illegally seized evidence)
2) civil proceedings
3) parole revokation proceedings |
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Term
| May excluded evidence be used for impeachment purposes? |
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Definition
| Yes, but only to impeach the credibility of the defendant's trial testimony |
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Term
| What is the "Fruit of the Poisonous Tree" doctrine? |
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Definition
The doctrine excludes all evidence obtained or derived from police illegality, subject to 3 exclusions where government can break the chain between unlawful police action and evidence (the 3 I's):
1) govt can show that it had an independent source for that evidence, independent of the original police illegality
2) inevitable discovery: the police would have inevitably discovered this evidence anyway
3) intervening acts of free will on the part of the defendant |
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Term
| What is the harmless error test? |
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Definition
| if illegal evidence is admitted, a resulting conviction should be overruled on appeal unless the government can show beyond reasonable doubt that the error was harmless. |
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Term
| Harmless error test - habeas proceeding |
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Definition
| In a habeas proceeding (prisoner should be released) where the where the petitioner claims constitutional error, he should be released if he can show that the error had a SUBSTANTIAL AND INJURIOUS EFFECT in the jury's verdict |
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Term
| Exclusionary rule - limitation regarding good faith |
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Definition
| The exclusionary rule does not apply when the police arrest someone erroneously but in good faith think that they are acting pursuant to a valid arrest warrant, search warrant, or law. |
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Term
| Enforcement of exclusionary rule - who has the burden of admissibility? |
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Definition
| Government bears the burden of establishing admissibility by a preponderance of the evidence |
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Term
| Seizure - what constitutes? |
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Definition
| reasonable person would believe that she is not free to leave or terminate encounter with the government |
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Term
| Arrests - must be based on what? |
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Definition
| Probable cause - trustworthy facts or knowledge sufficient for a reasonable person to believe that the suspect has committed or is committing a crime |
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Term
| What two things do the police need to have for an investigatory detention (ie a Stop and Frisk)? |
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Definition
1) reasonable suspicion of criminal activity or involvement in a completed crime (by totality of the circumstances)
+
2) supported by articulable facts (more than a hunch) |
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Term
| What do police need for an automobile stops in general? What about checkpoint roadblocks? |
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Definition
Reasonable suspicion, although checkpoint roadblocks are OK as long as police stop cars based on
1) neutral, articulable standard (ie every car), and
2) be designed to serve purposes closely related to a particular problem related to automobiles and their mobility |
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Term
| Is a dog sniff a search at a traffic stop? |
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Definition
| No, so long as police officers do not extend the stop beyong the time needed to issue a ticket or conduct normal inquiries |
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Term
| What are the four general questions to answering a search and seizure essay question? |
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Definition
1) was there governmental conduct?
2) did the search violate a reasonable expectation of privacy (ie standing)?
3) did the police have a valid search warrant? If so, was it properly executed?
4) if the warrant was not valid, does an officer's good faith defense save the warrant? |
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Term
| What is governmental conduct (2 main actors) |
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Definition
1) publicly paid police - on or off duty (privately paid police don't count unless they are deputized with power to arrest)
2) any private individual acting at the direction of the public police |
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Term
| What are the 3 automatic categories of standing for violation of search and seizure? What is the "maybe" category? |
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Definition
1) you own the premises searched
2) you live on the premises searched (ownership interest doesn't matter)
3) overnight guests (but not homeless dudes)
and
4) maybe: you own the property seized (must have expectation of privacy in the item or area searched), or you are legitimately present when the search takes place |
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Term
| What are things for which there is no reasonable expectation of privacy? |
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Definition
Generally: objects held out to the public
NOTE: use of sense-enhancing technology not available to public violates
1) sound of voice
2) handwriting
3) paint on vehicle
4) bank account records
5) location of one's vehicle on public roads or arrival at private residence
6) areas outside the home and related buildings
7) garbage left out for collection (AT CURB)
8) land visible from a public place, even from plane or helicopter
9) odors eminating from luggage |
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Term
| 2 core requirements for facially valid search warrant |
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Definition
1) probable cause (fair probability that contraband or evidence of a crime will be found in the area searched)
2) particularity (place searched + things to be seized) |
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Term
| Warrants - what will overcome defenses with the probably cause or particularity requirements? |
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Definition
| An officer's GOOD FAITH RELIANCE on a search warrant overcomes defenses with the probable cause and particularity requirements |
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Term
| When will a search warrant be invalidated on the basis of an affidavit (3 requirements)? |
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Definition
1) a false statement was included in the affidavit by the affiant (the officer applying for the warrant)
2) the affiant intentionally or recklessly included the false statement, and
3) the false statement was material to the finding of probable cause |
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Term
| What is the standard for use of informants to establish probable cause for a warrant? |
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Definition
Totality of the circumstances - reliability / credibility, basis of knowledge
NOTE: anonymous tip doesn't matter |
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Term
| When is "no knock" entry permitted (if you have a warant) |
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Definition
| If knocking and announcing would be dangerous, futile, or would inhibit the investigation |
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Term
| What are the 2 "lacking" exceptions to good faith reliance on a defective search warrant |
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Definition
1) the affidavid underlying the warrant is so lacking in probably cause that no reasonable police officer would have relied on it
2) The affidavid underlying the warrant is so lacking in particularity that no reasonable officer would have relied on it |
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Term
| What effect does the magistrate being biased have on a good faith defense of relying on an invalid search warrant? |
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Definition
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Term
| Exceptions to warrantless search |
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Definition
search incident to constitutional arrest
automobile search
plain view
consent
stop and frisk
hot pursuit, evanescent evidence, emergency |
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Term
| Requirements for search incident to lawful arrest |
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Definition
| The arrest must be lawful and contemporaneous in time and place with the arrest, and the scope of the search may include only the person and his wingspan |
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Term
| Search incident to a lawful arrest - when can interior of automobile be searched? |
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Definition
Arrestee is unsecured and may gain access to interior of vehicle, OR
Police reasonably believe that evidence of the offense for which the person was arrested may be found in the vehicle |
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Term
| Requirements for automobile exception to warrant requirement |
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Definition
To search a car without a warrant requires probable cause (vehicle contains the fruits, instrumentalities or evidence of a particular crime), and police may search the whole car, including luggage and trunk (as long as items for which they are looking could reasonably be hidden in those compartments).
Ex: cannot search smal box for stolen TVs |
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Term
| What is the "community caretaker" exception to a search incident to a lawful arrest that involves an automobile |
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Definition
| A warrantless search is justified if an officer faces an emergency that threatens the health or safety of an individual or the public |
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Term
| Requirements for "plain view" warrantless search and seizure? |
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Definition
1) police must be legitimately on the premises
2) discover the evidence, fruits, or instrumentalities of crime or contraband
3) see such evidence in plain view AND
4) have probable cause to believe that the item is evidence, or contraband, or a fruit of instrumentality of crime |
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Term
| What is the third party consent exception to warrantless search and seizure? |
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Definition
A warrantless search is valid if the police have a voluntary and intelligent consent.
Person must have authority to give consent: When 2 or more people have an equal right to use the property, either can consent. However, if both people are present and the other does not consent, then the one who does not controls. |
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Term
| What is the legal standard for a stop and frisk (Terry stop)? |
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Definition
| Police officer has reasonable suspicion of criminal activity . Scope is limited to pat down to check for weapons. Frisk is justified by concern for officer's safety. |
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Term
| Admissibility of weapons and non-weapons found at a stop and frisk (Terry stop) |
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Definition
| Weapons are always admissible as long as the stop was reasonable. Admissibility of non-weapons depend on how much like a weapon or contraband could it have appeared from the outside |
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Term
| What is the standard for an inventory search? |
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Definition
| Before incarceration of an arrestee, the police may search 1) the arrestee's personal belongings, and/or 2) the arrestee's entire vehicle |
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Term
| Can public school children be randomly drug tested? |
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Definition
| Yes, if they are participating in extra-curricular activities (sports, school dance) |
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Term
| When there is an investigation for violation of school rules, what can be searched? |
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Definition
| A children's affects, such as purses and/or backpacks |
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Term
| What are the 3 conditions for a school search to be reasonable? |
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Definition
1) it offers a moderate chance of finding evidence of wrongdoing
2) the measures adopted to carry out the search are reasonably related
3) the search is not excessively intrusive in light of age and sex of student and nature of the infraction |
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Term
| Warrantless search - hot pursuit and evanescent evidence |
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Definition
| Police in hot pursuit of fleeing felon may make a warrantless search and seizure and may pursue suspect into private dwelling. Police may seize evidence likely to disappear before warrant can be obtained. |
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Term
| Does the Fourth Amendment offer protections at the border? |
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Definition
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Term
| What is the exception to the requirement for a warrant to wiretap or eavesdrop? |
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Definition
| A speaker assumes the risk that the person to whom he is talking is an informer wired for sound or taping the conversation. A speaker has no 4th Amendment claim if he makes no attempt to keep the conversation private |
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Term
| What is the trigger for required Miranda warnings? |
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Definition
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Term
| What is the standard for custody in "custodial interrogation"? Is it subjective or objective? |
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Definition
You are in custody if, at the time of interrogation, you are not free to leave (police car, jail, confined to hospital bed)
It is an objective standard
NOTE: probation interviews and routine traffic stops are NOT custodial |
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Term
| What is the standard for "interrogation" in "custodial interrogation"? |
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Definition
| Any conduct where the police knew or should have known that they might elicit an incriminating response from the suspect |
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Term
| What is required for a waiver of Miranda rights (3 things)? What standard to evaluate? |
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Definition
| The waiver must be knowing, voluntary, and intelligent. The court will use the totality of the circumstances standard to evaluate |
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Term
| Standard for invoking right to remain silent and right to counsel |
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Definition
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Term
| How can the police reinitiate questioning after invoking right to remain silent (3 elements)? |
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Definition
1) wait significant amount of time
2) re-mirandirize person they want to question
3) questions are limited to crime that was subject to earlier questioning |
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Term
| What happens if an accused invokes his right to counsel unambiguously? |
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Definition
police questioning must stop until:
1) the accused is given an attorney, or
2) the accused initiates further questioning
2) accused is released from custodial interrogation and 14 days have passed |
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Term
| Do Miranda violations apply to evidence used for impeachment? |
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Definition
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Term
| When and where does the 6th amendment guarantee the right to counsel? |
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Definition
In all criminal proceedings, which include all critical stages of a prosecution AFTER judicial proceedings have begun (e.g., formal charges have been filed)
It prohibts the police from deliberately eliciting an incriminating statement from a defendant outside the presence of counsel after the defendant has been charged unless he has waived his right to counsel. |
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Term
| When does the 5th amendment right to counsel arise (only 1 circumstance!)? |
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Definition
| When a suspect on hearing the Miranda warnings says "I want a lawyer" - Supreme Court interpreted this to mean that the suspect needs the help of an attorney with the process of custodial police interrogation. |
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Term
| Sixth Amendment right to counsel is offense specific. What does this mean? |
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Definition
| Even though 6th Am rights have attached regarding charge for which D is held, he can be questioned regarding unrelated, uncharged offenses without violating the 6th Am. |
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Term
| Does a suspect have a right to the presence of an attorney at a post-charge lineup? When is there no right to counsel? |
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Definition
| Yes. No right at photo identifications, or where police take blood samples / handwriting samples / fingerprints |
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Term
| Does a suspect have a right to the presence of an attorney when police take physical evidence (handwriting, fingerprints)? |
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Definition
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Term
| When is due process denied during an identification (2 necessary characteristics) |
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Definition
1) the lineup is unnecessarily suggestive, and
2) there is a substantial likelihood of misidentification |
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Term
| What is the remedy for denail of pretrial due process in an identification? When can state defeat remedy? |
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Definition
Exclude the in-court identification. The victim or witness will NOT be allowed to identify the person in court.
State can defeat remedy by showing an adequate independent source for that identification (independent of bad line up) |
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Term
| When are bail issues appealable? |
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Definition
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Term
| Grand jury trials - 3 major distinctions from criminal trials |
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Definition
1) witness has no right to have counsel present
2) grand jury may consider evidence that would be excluded at criminal trial (due to exclusionary rule, hearsay)
3) witness must appear when called, but can refuse to answer questions |
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Term
A failure to disclose exculpatory information will constitute grounds for reversing a conviction if... (2 necessary conditions)
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Definition
1) the evidence is favorable to the defendant, and
2) prejudice has resulted, meaning that there is a reasonable probability that the result would have been different had the information been disclosed |
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Term
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Definition
| A judge is biased when they are shown to have 1) actual malice against the D, or 2) to have a financial interest in having the trial result in a guilty verdict |
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Term
| When does right to jury trial attach? |
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Definition
| When the length of the maximum authorized sentence exceeds 6 months |
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Term
| What is the cross-sectional requirement for a jury? What must D prove to show the right to a trial by jury is violated? |
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Definition
| The jury must represent a cross-section of the community. D must show that the underreprentation of a distinct and numerically significant group in the venire. |
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Term
| What are peremptory challenges, and when are they unconstitutional? |
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Definition
| A peremptory challenge is a challenge to exclude a prospective juror for any reason whatsoever. These challenges are unconstitutional when they are for the juror's race or gender. |
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Term
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Definition
| Once a defendant has been arrested or charged, there must be a speedy trial. Evaluated by a totality of the circumstances - length of delay, reason for delay, prejudice to defendant. |
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Term
| Competency to stand trial - judge's constitutional obligation |
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Definition
| If it appears to the judge that the D might be incompetent, the judge has a constitutional obligation to conduct further inquiry and determine whether in fact the D is incompetent |
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Term
| What is the rule for ineffective assistance of counrsel? |
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Definition
1) deficient performance by counsel (particular errors!), and
2) but-for the deficiency, the result of the proceeding would have been different |
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Term
| Rule for right to self-representation |
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Definition
| A defendant has the right to defend himself so long as his waiver of trial counsel is knowing and intelligent, and he is competent to proceed pro se |
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Term
| 6th Am right to confront witnesses - exception |
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Definition
| The absence of confrontation may be allowed when it serves an important public purpose, and the reliability of the witness is otherwise assured (Ex: trial testifying in sexual abuse case) |
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Term
| 6th Am right to confront witnesses - introducing co-defendant's confession |
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Definition
The right to confrontation prohibits use of the statement (even when it interlocks with the defendant's own confession), unless
1) all portions referring to the other defendant can be eliminated
2) confessing defendant takes the stand and is cross-examined about truth of statement
3) confession of nontestifying co-D is being used to rebut the defendant's claim that his confession was obtained coercively |
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Term
| 6th Am Confrontation Clause - prior testimonial statement of unavailable witness - when allowed? |
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Definition
| 1) declarant is unavailable, and 2) D had an opportunity to cross-examine declarant at time statement was made. Testimonial = prelim hearing, jury hearing, formal trial, police interrogation, but NOT interrogations during ongoing emergency |
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Term
| If someone pleads guilty, what must judge and court do? |
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Definition
Judge must address the D on the record about:
1) the nature of the charge
2) the maximum authorized penalty and/or mandatory minimum penalty
3) D has a right to plead not guilty and demand a trial |
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Term
| What are the 4 bases for withdrawing a guilty plea after a sentence? |
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Definition
1) plea was involuntary (prosecutor's threat, ineffective assistance of counsel)
2) lack of jurisdiction
3) ineffective assistance of counsel
4) failure of prosecutor to keep an agreed upon plea bargain |
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Term
| General rules for guilty plea and plea bargaining |
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Definition
| The Supreme Court will not disturb a guilty plea after sentencing, and treats plea bargaining like a contract (both sides are held to whatever the deal is) |
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Term
| When does jeopardy attach? |
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Definition
| When jury is sworn (in a jury trial), when the first witness is sworn (in a bench trial). Jeopardy does not attach when the proceedings are civil |
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Term
| General rule for double jeopardy |
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Definition
| Once jeopardy attaches, the defendant may not be retried for the same offense by the same sovereign (state / federal government). Generally, 2 crimes do not constitute the same offense when each require proof of an additional element that the other does not. |
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Term
| Exceptions to double jeopardy permitting retrial |
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Definition
1) hung jury (can't decide)
2) mistrial for manifiest necessity (Ex: appendicitus)
3) retrial after a successful appeal
4) breach of an agreed upon plea bargain |
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Term
| When do 2 crimes not constitute the same offense (double jeopardy) |
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Definition
| When each of the crimes require proof of an additional element that the other does not |
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Term
| Rule for retrial on greater offense in double jeopardy |
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Definition
| Double Jeopardy Clause prohibits a D whose conviction has been reversed on appeal for any offense more serious than that for which she was convicted at the first trial. |
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Term
| Double jeopardy - lesser included offenses, exceptions |
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Definition
| Being put in jeopardy for a greater offense bars retrial of a lesser included offense, UNLESS 1) there is new evidence b/c unlawful conduct has not occurred yet or discovered, 2) you are tried/convicted of battery and person later dies (can then be prosecuted for murder) |
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Term
| Double jeopardy - separate sovereigns |
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Definition
| A person may be tried for the same conduct by both the state and federal governments, or by two states, BUT not by a state and its municipalities |
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Term
| When can the 5th Amendment privilege against self incrimination be asserted? |
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Definition
In any type of case when anyone is asked a question under oath, wherein the response might incriminate him.
NOTE: must assert privilege 1st time ? is asked
Not claiming privilege in civil proceedings waived in later criminal prosecution |
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Term
| What is the scope of the 5th amendment right against self incrimination? |
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Definition
| The 5th am protects citizens from compelled (forced) testimony, but does NOT protect from having govt use physical evidence in ways to incriminate them (blood, handwriting, voice, hair) |
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Term
| 5th Am and prosecutorial conduct - cannot make comment on, can make comment on |
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Definition
| Prosecutor cannot comment on D's failure to testify or choosing to remain silent, BUT can comment in response to defense counsel's assertion that defendant was not allowed to explain his side of the story |
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Term
| When a prosecutor comments on D's silence, what test applies? |
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Definition
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Term
| 5th Am - elimination of privilege (may be compelled to answer when...) |
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Definition
1) grant of immunity from prosecution
2) no possibility of incrimination (SOL has run)
3) waiver |
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Term
| When can the 5th amendment privilege against self-incrimination be eliminated? |
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Definition
When there is: 1) a grant of immunity (promise that the gov't will not use your testimony or any evidence derived from that testimony to convict you 2) no possibility of incrimination (statute of limitations has run), and 3) waiver of immunity |
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Term
| 5th Am - "use and derivative use" immunity |
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Definition
| "use and derivative use" immunity guarantees that the witness's testimony and evidence located by testimony will not be used against witness, UNLESS evidence was derived from independent source |
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Term
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Definition
| There can be no automatic category for imposition of the death penalty, a statute may not limit mitigating factors of admissibility of mitigating evidence, and only a jury may determine the aggravating factors justifying imposition of penalty |
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Term
| When does the totality of the circumstances test apply? |
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Definition
1) judging reliability of informants 2) reasonable suspicion for Terry stops 3) Miranda waivers |
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