Chapter 15- Consent Flashcards
What is required for consent to enter and/or search homes?
Must be voluntary
Consent must be given freely without coercion or intimidation.
What are the three essential components of consent?
- Voluntary and Clear
- Lawful Presence and proper scope
- Authority to consent
These components ensure that consent is valid and legally acceptable.
What does ‘Voluntary and Clear’ consent depend on?
The totality of the circumstances
This includes evaluating the actions of both police and the suspect.
What burden do police and prosecutors have regarding consent?
To prove consent was voluntary by a preponderance of the evidence
This means they must show that it is more likely than not that the consent was given freely.
True or False: Consent may follow police force or show of force.
False
Consent obtained through intimidation or coercion is not considered valid.
What is an example of invalid consent?
Consent obtained through intimidation by 10 police officers
If the officers intimidate a person into giving consent, it cannot be considered valid.
What constitutes valid consent even under duress?
Consent provided because someone is afraid of an accomplice
This situation may still lead to valid consent as it does not stem from police coercion.
Is written consent required for police searches?
No, written consent is not required
If obtained, it must be before the search to indicate voluntariness.
What does it mean when informed consent is not required?
Police do not have to warn an individual of their right to refuse
Advising individuals of their right can enhance the perception of voluntariness.
What can negatively impact the voluntariness of consent?
Pressure to consent
For example, officers suggesting that refusal will lead to adverse legal or family consequences.
Fill in the blank: Officers may not suggest that a citizen’s failure to consent will result in DCF removing the child but they may
Mention that they have to report it to DCF
What is the significance of consent in searches conducted by law enforcement?
Consent can be voluntary even if it follows an announced intention to apply for a search warrant.
This means that if law enforcement indicates they will obtain a warrant, consent obtained thereafter may still be valid.
What must law enforcement have to obtain a search warrant?
Probable cause (PC)
A search warrant is only valid if law enforcement has probable cause to support its issuance.
Is consent to search valid if it is obtained after a law enforcement officer threatens to obtain a search warrant?
Yes, but only if there was already probable cause to obtain the warrant.
Consent obtained under these circumstances can still be valid.
What is the effect of a promise of leniency in obtaining consent?
Police may promise not to charge a suspect for consent as long as they keep the promise
CL- promising not to charge with drugs but finding ammo and charging with ammo was good
What are some suspect characteristics that can affect the validity of consent?
- Education
- Emotion
- Substance Abuse
These factors can influence whether a suspect is considered capable of giving valid consent.
Can an intoxicated person give consent to a search?
Yes, if they are not too intoxicated to understand the situation.
For example, an intoxicated man was deemed capable of consenting to a search of a woman’s purse in plain view.
How does prior cooperation with law enforcement affect consent?
Prior cooperation usually indicates voluntary consent.
This can suggest that the individual is willing to comply with police requests.
True or False: A promise of leniency can be used to obtain consent from a suspect.
True
What is the significance of consent to search to prove your innocence
Consent is voluntary when suspect authorizes search to prove innocence.
This indicates that consent must be given freely without coercion.
How does assertive action by suspects influence voluntariness?
Suspects asserting action, such as asking for identification of officer and badge numbers, helps with voluntariness.
This shows that proactive behavior by the suspect can enhance their claim of voluntary consent.
What does it indicate when a defendant allows a search after initially refusing?
Defendant refusing to take fingerprints or search car, then allowing to look at phone is considered good.
This may suggest a change in willingness that can impact the assessment of consent.
What is the implication of consent from multiple parties?
Consent from two people (e.g., mom and dad) is considered good.
This highlights that joint consent can strengthen the legitimacy of the search.
What challenges arise in obtaining consent from individuals in custody?
It is more difficult to get consent from someone in custody.
This reflects the limitations on personal freedom and the potential for coercion.
What is required for clear communication regarding consent?
Must be CLEAR AND UNAMBIGUOUS, regardless if explicit or implicit.
This emphasizes the importance of clarity in communication to ensure understanding.
What is an example of explicit consent?
Explicit consent example: ‘Hey, I’m clean, search me and opening jacket.’
This shows a direct and clear offer of consent.
What is an example of implicit consent?
Implicit consent example: ‘Okay’ and releasing trunk when officer asked to look inside trunk.
Implicit consent can be inferred from actions rather than words.
What is Non Verbal Consent in the context of law enforcement?
Actions or gestures that imply consent but do not explicitly state it.
Examples include a person pointing to a room or stepping back without verbal communication, which does not constitute consent.
Is pointing and stepping back into a house considered consent?
No, it is not considered consent.
Non-verbal actions must clearly indicate consent to be valid.
Can non-English speakers provide consent?
Yes, as long as the request was properly translated.
Proper translation ensures understanding of the consent process.
What happens if there is unlawful entry by law enforcement?
It invalidates later consent given by individuals.
Consent obtained after unlawful entry is not legally valid.
In the example of a sister retrieving blood-stained jeans, what did the police tell her?
They informed her they would get a search warrant if she did not consent to retrieve the jeans.
This illustrates the importance of consent in search situations.
True or False: ‘I’m clean this time’ and putting hands out is considered consent.
False.
Verbal statements must clearly indicate consent for it to be valid.
Fill in the blank: Unlawful entry ______ later consent.
invalidates.
This principle protects individuals from unreasonable searches.
What is the legal implication of entering a juvenile’s room without proper consent?
Illegal entry invalidates consent provided by parents
Consent is deemed invalid if entry was not lawful.
What happens when police pose as a gas company to enter a residence?
Invalidates consent to search
Deceptive tactics undermine the legality of consent.
How does creating a fake virus on a computer affect consent?
Invalidates consent
Misleading actions can nullify any consent given.
Is it permissible for police to create a fake disturbance to gain entry?
No, it is not permissible
Threatening behavior or deception does not justify entry.
What does consent to enter imply regarding consent to search?
Consent to enter is NOT consent to search
These are two distinct legal concepts.
What is an example of a good surreptitious police entry?
Entering undercover as a person buying drugs
Undercover operations can be legally justified in certain contexts.