Criminal Procedure Flashcards
What is the effect on a case when there’s a violation of the 4th amendment?
Only suppresses E obtained as a result of that violation. DOESN’T DISMISS CASE
What does 4th Amendment protect?
Against unreasonable search and seizure
When may cops arrest someone w/o a warrant?
When they have PC to believe person committed a crime
What is PC for an arrest?
Trustworthy facts or knowledge sufficient for a reasonable person to believe that a suspect has committed or is committing a crime for which arrest is authorized by law.
Based on TOTALITY OF CIRCUMSTANCES
When is a warrant required for an arrest?
Generally must have one for nonemergency arrest in a person’s home.
What are the warrantless search exceptions?
- Incident to constitutional arrest
- Automobile search
- Plain View
- Consent
- Stop and Frisk
- Exigent Circumstances; Hot Pursuit; Emergency Aid
[I’M A PC SUBJECT EXPERT]
Search Incident to Constitutional Arrest
Must be CONSTITUTIONAL arrest (PC that crime committed)
Police may search person and areas into which he might reach to obtain weapons or destroy E
Search Incident to Arrest - Car Exception
Police may search PASSENGER COMPARTMENT of car INCIDENT TO ARREST ONLY IF AT TIME OF SEARCH
UNLESS, cops have PC that a vehicle contains fruits, instrumentalities, or evidence of a crime –> then may search entire vehicle and any container that might RSNy contain the item
Automobile Exception for Warrantless Search
If police have PC that vehicle has E of a crime, they may search the WHOLE vehicle
UNLESS, car parked in CURTILAGE of one’s home
Plain View Exception for Warrantless Search
When police:
- Are LEGITIMATELY ON THE PREMISES,
- DISCOVER E/fruits or instrumentalities of a crime/or contraband
- See such E in PLAIN VIEW
- Have PC to believe (IMMEDIATELY APPARENT) that item is E/contraband/fruit or instrumentality of a crime
Consent Exception for Warrantless Search
Police must have VOLUNTARY CONSENT.
Knowledge of right to w/h consent NOT REQUIRED
Scope of search limited by scope of consent.
Extends to anyone w/ APPARENT EQUAL RIGHT to use or occupy property
Stop and Frisk Exception for Warrantless Search
Cop may STOP a person w/o PC for arrest if she has ARTICULABLE AND REASONABLE SUSPICION of criminal activity
May FRISK person if officer REASONABLY THINKS suspect has a WEAPON
What’s the extent of a frisk in stop and frisk?
Cop may pat down outer clothing, unless he has specific info that weapon is hidden in particular area of clothing.
Stop and Frisk: When may officer reach into suspect’s clothing (PLAIN FEEL DOCTRINE)?
When officer REASONABLY BELIEVES, based on PLAIN FEEL, that there’s a WEAPON OR CONTRABAND
Exigent Circumstances, Hot Pursuit, Evanescent E, and Emergency Aid Exceptions to Warrantless Search
Cops in hot pursuit of FLEEING FELON may make warrantless Sh&Sz & enter private dwelling
May enter a home w/o WRT under Exigent Circumstances (destruction of E)
When is Miranda warning required?
When IN CUSTODY and accused of a crime
What amendment does Miranda warning address?
5th Amendment right to be free of SELF-INCRIMINATION
When is someone in CUSTODY for Miranda purposes?
2 step process:
- FREEDOM OF MOVEMENT test: would RSN person under circumstances feel they were FREE TO TERMINATE THE INTERROGATION AND LEAVE.
- Whether RVT environment presents the SAME INHERENTLY COERCIVE PRESSURES as the type of station house questioning at issue in Miranda (the more the setting resembles a trad’l arrest)
What is an INTERROGATION under Miranda?
Any words or conduct by cops they should know is LIKELY TO ELICIT A RESPONSE
Means Miranda doesn’t apply to SPONTANEOUS STATEMENTS made by detainee
What must be done to invoke the right to remain silent under MIRANDA?
Must be UNEQUIVOCAL
Can any statement be used by police after suspect invokes the right to remain silent under MIRANDA?
No
Can drug-sniffing dog provide PC?
Yes, as long as it doesn’t extend the time or scope of the stop. UNLESS there’s otherwise PC to believe car or occupants possess illegal drugs
Can only smell OUTSIDE the car (?)
What must be shown for an alert from a drug-sniffing dog to provide PC?
That dog has proper training
What type of motion is used to prevent introduction of E wrongfully seized/obtained?
Motion to Suppress the Evidence
Should admissibility of E or confession be decided in front of jury?
No, should be outside jury’s presence.
What must a search involve for it to violate the 4th amendment?
D’s REASONABLE EXPECTATION OF PRIVACY
When does a defendant not have a reasonable expectation of privacy?
No REOP in objects held out to the public. Generally includes info in the hands of 3rd parties. NO REOP in:
1. Sound of one’s voice
2. One’s handwriting
3. Paint on the outside of a car
4. Account records held by a bank
5. CURTILAGE: Areas outside the home and related buildings
6. Garbage left for collection
7. Land visible from a public place, even from plane or helicopter
8 Smell of one’s car or luggage
Is there a reasonable expectation of privacy for a car?
No
In VA, does prohibition against unRSN search and seizure apply to private individuals? If so, what’s the effect?
Yes. Statute just provides that victim get compensatory and punitive damages
BUT DOESN’T result in exclusion of E
What test is used to evaluate informants’ hearsay when evaluating sufficiency of WRT affidavits?
Totality of circumstances
All that’s needed is that affidavits PERMIT MAGISTRATE TO MAKE COMMON SENSE EVALUATION OF PC
Reliability and credibility of informant and his basis of knowledge are intertwined considerations that may illuminate the PC issue
Is denial of motion to suppress appealable before final judgment on the merits?
No
When can’t an arrested person be strip searched (w/o RS that ind’l is concealing a weapon)?
When arrest is for traffic infraction, class 3 or 4 misdemeanor, or a violation of city, county, or town ordinance (punishable by no more than 30 days in jail)