confessions and statements against interest Flashcards
confessions terminology and basic rule
confession= normally hearsay
it is admissible as a common law exception.
statements against interest
is a statement by the accused incriminating himself. does not amount to full confession can be really usful in rape when A admits having sexual intercourse with B as that establishes the mens rea.
confessions/ admissions whats the difference
admissions = civil, no need to rely on the exception to the rule against hearsay to justify admitting evidence s.2(1) civil evidence 1998 confession = crim
hartly v hm
confession are normally regarded as having a high probative value.
the confession of guilt by an accused person is prejudicial to his own interests and may thus be initially assumed to be true
CAUTION IN ASSERTING THEIR WORTH
brown v hm adv
Admissibility basic test
a confession will be indimissable where it has been unfairly obtained.
TEST=
it what has taken place fair or not
miln v cullen
Admissibility basic test
this requires fairness to the public to be taken into account as well as fairness to the acuused
jack v hm adv
Admissibility basic test
fairness and goodfaith are NOT necessarly synonymous
balloch v hm adv
Admissibility basic test
determining whether the statement was fairly obtained. it used to used to be thought that this was a matter for the jury. trial within trial.
Thompson v crowe
Admissibility basic test
determining whether statement has been fairly obtained
this should be decided by trial within a trial
judge must hear evidence as to admissibility of confession. Acussed will give evidence or will not testify BUT can still testify in trial within a trial.
the trial within trial evidence can only be used in extreme circumstances
plat v hm ad
Admissibility basic test
the burden of proof is on the crown to prov on th BALANCE of PROBS that the confession was obtained fairly
s.31 crim justice scot acts
when will a confession be regarded as being unfairly obtained
in police custody s.31 outlines rights
right to be informed of gen offence
right to say nothing apart from age birth ect
the right to have sol
right to inform someone else that suspect in custody
right to inform sol
suspects right to sol
chalmers v hm
the requirement to administer a caution
a caution is a warning that an individual is not required to say anything but anything they do say may be used in evidence. in what circumstances are the police required to admin one.
answer= depends at what stage the investigation is at
miln v cullen
the requirement to administer a caution
where an individual is not a suspect. no caution required
tonge v hm
the requirement to administer a caution
wjere an individual has become a suspect s caution is normally required
WIlson v HEYWOOD
the requirement to administer a caution:
test is one of fairness and so failure to caution does not necessarly render confession inadmissible
NO rule of law that there had to be a CAUTION what matters is the NECESSITY FOR A FAIR TRIAL
LB v HM
the requirement to administer a caution:
test is one of fairness and so failure to caution does not necessarly render confession inadmissible
unneseccary for the police to recaution if once already done for similar crime
irving v jessop
the requirement to administer a caution:
position of other individuals other than police officers who may not know how to admin caution
tv licence inspectors and the council
s.34 2016 act
once a person is in custody but has not been charged with an offence the police are entitle to question that person. the person is NOT BOUND to answer any question but must if asked provide their name ect
tonge v hm adv
where an accused is charged with an offence caution is required pre charge a reply to charge is admissiable if a caution is administered
Carmichael v boyd
further q regarding a charge not permitte.
cannot ask about things that the accused has already been charged with. but can ask about things that they are not yet charged.