Consent Flashcards
Why are consent entries and searches allowed?
Because citizens may voluntarily choose to give up their privacy
What are the three essential components of valid consent?
Voluntary and clear
Lawful presence and proper scope
Authority
Who has the burden of proving consent was voluntary?
Police and prosecutor
What standard of proof is needed to show consent was voluntary
Preponderance of the evidence aka probable cause
A person may not consent if they are intimidated or in fear of the police, but they may consent if they are afraid of
Another person
Written consent is not required, but if officers do rely on a written permission, it must be acquired _____ the search begins
Before
Can failing to use an available consent form indicate a lack of voluntariness?
Yes
Do police have to warn an individual of their right to refuse consent aka informed consent
No
Does advising a suspect that he may refuse increase the likelihood that consent was voluntary?
Yes
While an officer waited for a consent form to arrive he asked the defendants girlfriend about her four-year-old son and mentioned reporting incident to DCF is this coercive?
No, because the officer was a mandated reporter, and his request was legitimate and not overbearing
An officer told the defendant that if police searched with a warrant, they were damage the apartment, but if he consented, they would show a little courtesy. Is this coercive?
Yes
Can consent be considered voluntary if an officer announces their intention to apply for a search warrant
Yes but officers must say they will SEEK a warrant and not imply they have the power to issue one themselves
Police may only tell a defendant that they will seek a search warrant if they have information that amounts to
Probable cause
An officer saw a flask in a defendants car. He told the defendant if he did not consent to a search, he would apply for a search warrant. Was this lawful
No, because the officer had no reason to believe the flask contained alcohol or that the defendant was oui. The defendants consent was invalid because there wasn’t probable cause to get a warrant
May Police promise not to charge a suspect in order to get consent to search
Yes, as long as they keep their promise
Police told the defendant they would not charge him with drug possession if he let them search his bedroom drawer. They did not charge him a drug possession, but they did charge him with possession of ammunition they found in the drawer. Was this lawful?
Yes
The suspects _______ background, ________ make up and ______ are relevant to consent
Educational
Emotional
Intoxication
If a defendant is able to converse with Police coherently and change his babies diaper, are they too intoxicated to consent to a search
No
Does prior cooperation indicate voluntary consent? For example, if the defendant asked Police to come to his home.
Yes
Can consent be considered voluntary when the suspects authorizes a search to prove his innocence?
Yes
A defendant demanded to see police identification, and reviewed their warrant before he let them in his house. He later consented to a search of his computer, which had child pornography. What helps this be considered voluntary consent
The suspects assertive reaction gave no indication that he was intimidated by Police
A defendant refused to allow police to take her fingerprints or search your car, but she later consented for Police to examine her phone. Is this voluntary
Yes
Consent from more than one person is usually _______
Voluntarily
For example, if a father and mother agree to allow Police to search their sons room
Is it possible for Police to get voluntary consent from a suspect in custody?
Yes, but it is more difficult
While a suspect may explicitly and implicitly consent, his communications to the police must be
Clear and unambiguous
An officer asked a motorist if he could look inside their trunk. The motor said “OK” and release the lid. Is this implicit or explicit consent
Implicit
An officer called out to a suspect that he knew from a previous drug possession arrest. The suspect responded. I’m clean this time and spread his hands out. The officer stepped in and patted him down finding a vile of amphetamines. Was this an invitation to search?
No
For a physical gesture to indicate consent, it must be in response to either (2)
- An explicit request to enter
- Inexplicit statement about Police purpose (ex Rose we need to speak to Dani about an incident. Where is he now her pointing at the kitchen now becomes a clear invitation to enter)
Voluntary consent may come from a non-English speaker provided the request and response were properly _______
Translated. be sure to document who helped translate ideally, a translated conversation should be recorded
Does unlawful entry invalidate later consent?
Yes
Requesting consent is a investigative step that _________ on the side of the road during a traffic stop
Spontaneously develops