Criminal Procedure Flashcards
1
Q
What are the search and seizure issues?
A
- Was the search and seizure governed by the 4th Amendment?
- If the search and seizure was conducted with a warrant, did it satisfy the 4th Amendment?
- If the search and seizure was conducted without a warrant, did it satisfy the 4th Amendment?
- If the search and seizure violated the 4th Amendment, is the evidence obtained nonetheless admissible?
2
Q
How do you determine search and seizure issue one - i.e., was the search and seizure governed by the 4th Amendment?
A
- Was the search and seizure executed by a government agent?
- Was there a reasonable expectation of privacy in the area searched or the items seized?
3
Q
Who is a government agent for purposes of executing a search and seizure?
A
- Publicly paid police on or off duty
- Private citizens if acting at the direction of police
NOT private security guards
4
Q
What are the protected areas for purposes of determining whether a search and seizure violated someone’s reasonable expectation of privacy?
A
- Persons (i.e., bodies)
- Houses
- Including hotel rooms
- Including curtilage - i.e., area immediately surrounding house
- Papers (e.g., personal correspondence)
- Effects (e.g., purses and backpacks)
5
Q
What are the unprotected areas for purposes of determining whether a search and seizure violated someone’s reasonable expectation of privacy?
A
”Patty Achieved A Glorious Victory Over Her Opponents”
- Paint scrapings on the outside of your car
- Account records held by a bank
- Air space (i.e., anything that can be seen below while flying in public air space)
- Garbage left at the curb for collection
- Voice exemplars
- Odors (i.e., emanating from car or luggage)
- Handwriting
- Open fields (i.e., anything that can be seen in or across an open field)
All of these things share knowing exposure to third parties
6
Q
Does a person have standing to challenge a search if they own the premises searched?
What if they just reside there?
What if they are just overnight guests?
What if they are just using the residence solely for business purposes?
A
If they own it
- Yes
If they reside there
- Yes
If they are overnight guests
- Yes, as to common areas
If they use it for business
- No
7
Q
Does a person have standing to challenge a seizure if they own the property?
A
Only if they have a reasonable expectation of privacy in the area from which the property was seized
- E.g., man who hides drugs in girlfriend’s purse does not have reasonable expectation of privacy
8
Q
Does a person have standing to challenge a search if they are a passenger in the car searched?
A
Only if they have a reasonable expectation of privacy in the item or area searched or seized
- E.g., a passenger does not have standing to challenge seizure of a bag of cocaine with his name on it under the driver’s seat
9
Q
How do you determine search and seizure issue two - i.e., if the search and seizure was conducted with a warrant, did it satisfy the 4th Amendment?
A
- Was the warrant supported by both:
- Probable cause
- Particularity
- __If not, did the government agent rely on a defective warrant in good faith?
- Was the warrant properly executed by the government agent?
10
Q
How do you determine whether a warrant was supported by probable cause?
What standard applies?
A
Probable cause requires proof of:
- A fair probability
- That contraband or evidence of crime
- Will be found in the area searched
Standard:
- A neutral and detached magistrate
- Makes this determination
- Based on a totality of the circumstances
11
Q
Can inadmissible evidence be used to establish probable cause?
What about anonymous informant tips?
A
Yes, both are allowed for purposes of establishing probable cause
As to the informant’s tip, the police must corroborate it
12
Q
In Virginia, are hand-rolled cigarettes enough to establish probable cause?
A
No
13
Q
In Virginia, is a dog sniff enough to establish probable cause?
A
Yes.
But if you take a drug dog on a porch, that is a search in itself, so you need to have probable cause beforehand.
14
Q
How do you determine whether a warrant was supported with particularity?
A
The warrant must specify both:
- The place to be searched
- The item to be seized
15
Q
When is a warrant not supported with particularity?
What should you look out for on the exam?
A
When it is a general warrant that authorized a fishing expedition
Look out for warrants allowing the search of private areas that could not house the evidence for which there was probable cause to search
- E.g., a warrant to search all closed containers for a knife is too broad because some containers could not hold the knife
16
Q
How do you determine whether a government agent relied on a defective warrant in good faith?
A
An officer’s good faith reliance on a defective warrant overcomes constitutional deficits unless:
- Unreasonable reliance on affidavit
- The affidavit supporting the warrant application is so egregiously lacking in probable cause that no reasonable officer would have relied on it
- Facially deficient in particularity
- The warrant is so facially deficient in particularity that officers could not reasonably presume it to be valid
- Knowing or reckless falsehoods in affidavit
- The affidavit relied upon by the magistrate contains knowing or reckless falsehoods that are necessary to the probably cause finding
- Biased magistrate
- The magistrate who issued the warrant is biased in favor of the prosecution
17
Q
How do you determine whether a warrant was properly executive by the government agent?
A
- Did the government agent comply with the warrant’s terms and limitations?
- The agent can search only the areas and items
- Did the government agent comply with the knock and announce rule?
- Before forcibly entering, the agent must knock and announce both:
- Their presence
- Their purpose
- Unless:
- The officer reasonably believes that doing so would either:
- Be futile
- Be dangerous
- Inhibit the investigation
- The officer reasonably believes that doing so would either:
- Before forcibly entering, the agent must knock and announce both:
18
Q
How do you determine search and seizure issue three - i.e., if the search and seizure was conducted without a warrant, did it satisfy the 4th Amendment?
A
There are eight exceptions to the warrant requirement:
“ESCAPIST”
- Exigent circumstances
- Search incident to arrest
- Consent
- Automobile
- Plain view
- Inventory
- Special needs
- Terry stop and frisk
19
Q
How do you determine whether there are exigent circumstances, and therefore a warrant is not needed?
A
Evanescent evidence
- Evidence would dissipate or dissapear in the time that it would take to get a warrant
- E.g., scrapings under fingernails, blood evidence in DUI where breathalyzer refused
Hot pursuit
- While looking for a suspect, police may:
- Enter a suspect’s home
- Enter a third party’s home
- Seize any evidence of a crime in plain view
20
Q
When can an officer do a search incident to arrest without a warrant?
A
The arrest must be lawful
The search must be contemporaneous in time and place with the arrest
Rationale
- Officer safety
- Need to preserve evidence
21
Q
What is the proper scope of a search incident to arrest without a warrant?
A
The search may cover the suspect’s wingspan, which includes:
- The body
- The clothing
- Any containers within the suspect’s immediate control
Note: the offense for which the arrest was made is irrelevant
22
Q
What is the proper scope of a search of an automobile incident to arrest without a warrant?
A
The search may cover the automobile’s interior cabin
- This includes closed containers
- This excludes the trunk
23
Q
Can an officer search an arrestee’s vehicle after securing the arestee (i.e., by handcuffing and placing him in the squad car)?
A
Only if the officer has reason to believe the vehicle may contain evidence relating to the crime for which the arrest was made
24
Q
What are the requirements for a person to consent to a warrantless search and seizure?
A
The consent must be both:
- Voluntary
- Intelligent
But officer do not have to tell someone that they have the right to refuse consent
25
Can an officer do a warrantless search based on the consent of someone who lacks actual authority to grant consent?
So long as there was _apparent consent_ - i.e., the officer reasonably believed that the consenting party had actual authority
* Exceptions:
* The following _do not_ have apparent authority:
* Hotel operators
* Landlords
26
When adults share a residence, who has the authority to consent to a search of the common areas?
What if they disagree about consent, who prevails?
_Any or all_ of them have authority.
If they disagree, the _objecting party_ prevails (but only over areas in which they share dominion and control)
27
When can officers do a warrantless search of an automobile?
Where can they search?
Whenever the officers have _probable cause_ to believe that _contraband_ or _evidence of a crime_ will be found in the car.
If they have probable cause, officers can:
* Search _the entire vehicle_
* Open any _package_
* Open any _luggage_
* Open any _other container_ (so long as it would reasonably contain the item for which there was probable cause to search)
28
When an officer does a warrantless search of a car, when does he have to have probable cause to do so?
Anytime _before initiating the search_ (i.e., it does not have to be at the time the car was pulled over)
29
When can a government agent seize an item in plaint view without a warrant?
Anytime that both:
* The officer has lawful access to both:
* The _place_
* The _item itself_
* The _criminality_ of the item is _immediately apparent_
30
When do inventory searches arise most often?
Are they constitutional?
Two situations:
* When _arrestees_ are booked into jail
* When _vehicles_ are impounded
Inventory searches are constitutional if both:
* The _regulations_ governing them are _reasonable in scope_
* The _search itself_ complies with those regulations
31
What is the special needs exception to the warrant requirement?
What are the most common examples?
Law enforcement, government employers, and school officials can do searches and seizures when they have a _special need beyond a general interest in law_
Examples:
* Random drug testing
* Government employees' desks and files
* Students' effects in public schools
* Border searches
32
In what contexts are warrantless random drug tests allowed?
Allowed:
* _Railroad employees_ following an impact accident
* _Customs agents_ who are responsible for drug interdiction
* _Public school children_ who participate in any extracurricular activity
Not allowed:
* Suspicionless drug tests for which the primary purpose is to gather criminal evidence for use by law enforcement
33
When are warrantless searches of government employees' desks and files permitted?
When the search is to investigate _work-related misconduct_
34
When are warrantless searches of the effects of public school chlidren permissible?
When the search is to investigate _violations of school rules_ - e.g., smoking on school grounds
35
When are warrantless border searches allowed?
When the search is routine.
Neither citizens nor non-citizens have any 4th Amendment rights at the border.
36
What is a Terry stop?
* A _brief_
* _Detention or seizure_
* For the purpose of investigating _suspicious conduct_
37
When are you seized for 4th Amendment purposes?
When, based on a _totality of the circumstances_:
* A _reasonable person_ would not feel free to either:
* Leave
* Decline an officer's request to answer questions
* Based on:
* Whether an officer _brandishes a weapon_
* The officer's _tone and demeanor_
* Whether the person was informed of their _right to refuse consent_ (not necessary, just a factor)
38
When an individual is being pursued by an officer, when is he seized?
Only once he _submits to the officer's authority_ by either:
* Stopping
* Being _physically restrained_ by the officer
39
Who is seized in a traffic stop?
What if the stop if for a dog sniff?
_Both the driver and his passengers_ are seized, so either can challenge the legality of the stop
Dog sniffs are permissible so long as they do not _prolong the stop unreasonably_
40
What is a Terry frisk?
* A _patdown_
* Of the _body and outer clothing_
* For _weapons_
* That is _justified_
* By an officer's _belief_
* That a suspect is _armed and dangerous_
41
What can an officer seize during a Terry frisk?
* Weapons (always)
* Something recognized as _contraband_
* But _without manipulating_ the object
42
What are Terry frisks involving traffic stops (i.e., car frisks)?
If an officer believes that a suspect is dangerous, he may search the _passenger cabin_, but limited to the areas in which a _weapon_ may be placed or hidden
43
What evidentiary standarda pplies to Terry stops and frisks?
_Reasonable suspicion_ (which is less than probable cause)
* In Terry _stops_,
* Must show:
* _Specific and articulable_ facts
* Suggesting that _criminal activity is afoot_
* In Terry _frisks_,
* Must show:
* _Specific and articulable_ facts
* Suggesting suspect is _armed and dangerous_
44
Can flight itself establish reasonable suspicion for purposes of a Terry stop or frisk?
No, but it is a _very important_ factor
45
How do you determine search and seizure issue four - i.e., if the search and seizure violated the 4th Amendment, is the evidence obtained nonetheless admissible?
Exclusionary rule
* Evidence obtained in violation of statutory or constitutional provisions is _inadmissible_ in court against the person whose rights were violated
Exceptions to the exclusionary rule
1. Case-in-chief v. cross-examination
* Only inadmissible during prosecution's case-in-chief
* May be admitted to impeach on cross
2. Knock and announce violations
* Do not require suppression
3. Officer's reasonable mistakes
* Do not require suppression if:
* Reasonable based on officer's knowledge
* Search ended as soon as realized mistake
* E.g., searching the wrong apartment
4. Fruit of the poisonous tree
46
How can an officer nullify fruit of the poisonous tree?
By showing a _break in the casual link_ between the original illegality and the criminal evidence later discovered
Three doctrines:
1. Independent source
* Source for discovery is _separate and distinct_ from the original illegality
* E.g., parallel process initiated by other officers
2. Inevitable discovery
* Evidence would _necessarily_ have been discovered through _lawful means_
* E.g., body would have been found by grid search
3. Attenuation
* Defendant's _free will_ has been restored through both:
* Passage of time
* Intervening events
47
What are the requirements for a valid wiretap warrant?
"Screen Telephone Calls Carefully"
1. Suspected persons
* Warrant must name the suspected persons whose conversations are to be overheard
2. Crime
* There must be _probable cause_ that a specific _crime_ have been committed
3. Conversations
* Warrant must describe with particularity the conversations that can be overheard
4. Time
* Wiretap must be for a strictly limited time period
48
What is the rule regarding eavesdropping and the 4th Amendment?
Unreliable ear doctrine
* If you speak to someone who has agreed to a wiretap or some other form of electronic monitoring, you have no 4th Amendment claim - i.e., you _assume the risk_ that the other party will not keep your conversation private
49
When does an arrest occur?
Whenever the police:
* Take someone into _custody_
* Against their _will_
* For either:
* _Prosecution_
* _Interrogation_
50
What standard of proof applies to arrests?
Probable cause
51
For what offenses does the 4th Amendment permit a custodial arrest?
_All offenses_
Even those punishable by just a monetary fine
Even those that are non-arrestable under state statute
52
When do you need a warrant to arrest someone?
* Public place
* Felonies
* You _do not_ need a warrant
* Misdemeanors
* Committed in the officer's presence
* You _do not_ need a warrant
* Committed outside the officer's presence
* You need an _arrest_ warrant
* Third party's home
* You need both:
* An _arrest_ warrant
* A _search_ warrant
To arrest someone in a _public place_, you do _not_ need a warrant
53
In a traffic stop, who can a police officer arrest?
If the officer discovers evidence of crime that suggests a _common unlawful enterprise_ between the driver and his passengers, the officer may arrest _any or all of them_
54
What are the Virginia codified rules on arrests?
What is the Virginia trend that should be discussed in an essay?
General rule
* An officer may arrest _any person_ who commits _any crime_ (i.e., probably not a traffic violation) if either:
* It was in the officer's _presence_
* It was outside the officer's presence, but the officer has probable cause to suspect it was a _felony_
Misdemeanors outside presence
* An officer may arrest someone for an alleged _misdemeanor_ committed outside his presence when:
* The officer receives a _telephone or radio message_ that a warrant for the offense is on file
* The offense involves _assault and battery_ and the arrest is based on probable cause upon the reasonable complaint of an eyewitness
Growing trend in Virginia
* Growing trend towards _exceptions_ to the rule against warrantless arrests for misdemeanors outside the officer's presence if they involve _violence_
55
How should you approach a Virginia essay question on arrests?
1. Discuss the common law rules
2. Discuss the Virginia code
3. Discuss strict application
4. Address allowing possible exceptions
56
What are the Virginia statutory exceptions to the warrant requirement for arrests?
1. Motor vehicle crimes
2. Shoplifting
3. Warrant on file
4. Public drunkenness
5. Assault and battery against a family or household member
57
What challenges can be brought to exclude a confession?
1. 14th Amendment
* Due process clause
2. 6th Amendment
* Right to counsel
3. 5th Amendment
* Miranda doctrine
58
What is the standard for excluding a confession under the 14th Amendment's due process clause?
Involuntariness
* The confession must be the product of _police coercion_ that _overbears the suspect's will_
59
* What is the 6th Amendment right to counsel?
* When does it apply?
* When does it attach?
* What triggers the right?
* What charges does it apply to?
* It is an _express_ constitutional guarantee
* It applies at all _critical stages_ of a criminal prosecution
* It attaches once _formal charges are filed_ (i.e., not upon arrest)
* _Initial appearance_ triggers the right (i.e., but not at the initial appearance, just from that point on)
* It is _offense-specific_ - i.e., it applies only to the charges filed against the person
60
What are the Miranda rights?
What are the warnings?
They are _implied_ rights grounded in the self-incrimination clause of the 5th Amendment
Core warnings:
1. Right to remain _silent_
2. Anything you say can and will be _used against you_ in a court of law
3. Right to an _attorney_
4. If you cannot afford one, an attorney will be _appointed_ for you
61
When are Miranda warnings necessary?
Whenever there is a _custodial interrogation_, which requires:
* Custody
* The _atmosphere_, viewed objectively, must be characterized by:
* _Police domination_ and _cocercion_
* Such that the subject's _freedom of action_ is limited in a _significant way_
* Interrogation
* Any conduct the police _knew or should have known_
* Was reasonably likely to _elicit_ _an incriminating response_
* (Not spontaneous confessions because they are not the product of interrogation)
62
When are Miranda warnings unnecessary even if there is custodial interrogation?
If the custodial interrogation is prompted by an _immediate concern for public safety_
E.g., immediately after a robbery, asking "where's the gun?"
63
What is required for a Miranda waiver?
1. Knowing and intelligent
* Suspect must understand both:
* The _nature_ of the rights
* The _consequences_ of abandoning those rights
2. Voluntary
* Waiver must not be the product of _police cocercion_
64
What is the standard for determining whether Miranda warnings were waived?
Totality of the circumstances
But Miranda warnings and then an answer is likely sufficient
65
Who bears the proof of showing a waiver of Miranda rights?
_Proseuction_ must prove waiver by a _preponderance of the evidence_
66
If a lawyer calls the police station to say he wants to be present for an interrogation of his client, if the client later waives Miranda rights without the lawyer present, is the waiver valid?
Yes. Suspects are not entitled to a _free flow of information_ to calibrate their self-interest
67
What must officers do after a suspect invokes the right to remain silent?
The officers must _scrupulously honor_ the request
* At the very least, they:
* Cannot _badger_ the suspect into talking
* Must wait a _significant period of time_ (e.g., 2 hours) before reinitiating questioning,
* But must first obtain a valid Miranda waiver
68
What must officers do after a suspect invokes the right to counsel?
All interrogation must _cease_ unless initiated by the suspect
69
What is must a suspect do to invoke the right to counsel?
Make the request _sufficiently clear_ (i.e., not "maybe I should talk to a lawyer")
70
How long is a request for counsel effective?
The request for counsel expires _14 days_ after the suspect is released from Miranda custody
After that the suspect may be questioned regarding any matter after receiving a _fresh set of Miranda warnings_
_Note_: the 5th Amendment right to counsel is _not offense-specific_ like the 6th Amendment
71
Can the prosecution ever use incriminating statements made in violation of a suspect's Miranda rights?
Yes. The statements are inadmissible in the prosecution's case-in-chief, but they may be used to impeach the _defendant's_ testimony on _cross_
* But the incriminating statements can only be used to impeach the defendant - _not a third party witness_
_Physical fruits_ from incriminating statements may also be used, provided that they were voluntary (i.e., no due process violation)
72
If a statement is inadmissible due to a Miranda violation, can subsequent statements after obtaining a Miranda waiver be admitted?
Yes, provided that the initial non-Mirandized statement was not obtained through the use of _inherently coercive police tactics_
73
What happens if statements made in violation of Miranda were improperly admitted at trial and the defendant is found guilty?
Must the court vacate the gulity verdict?
It depends. The guilty verdict will _stand_ if the government can prove _beyond a reasonble doubt_ that the error was _harmless_ because the defendant would have been convicted _without the tainted evidence_
74
What are the different types of pre-trial identification?
1. Line-ups
* Witness asked to identify perpetrator from a group
2. Show-ups
* One-on-one confrontation between witness and suspect
3. Photo arrays
* Witness askd to pick out the perpetrator from a series of photos
75
What are the substantive challenges to pre-trial identifications?
1. Right to counsel
* 5th Amendment
* Not available for pre-trial identifications
* 6th Amendment
* Available for:
* Line-ups
* Show-ups
* Not available for:
* Photo arrays
2. Due process
* Violates 14th Amendment when _so unnecessarily suggestive_ that there is a substantial likelihood of misidentification
76
What is the remedy for constitutional vioaltions in pre-trial identifications?
Exclusion of the witness's _in-court identification_, unless:
* Prosecution can prove it is based on observations of the suspect _other than_ the unconstitutional show-up or photo array, such as:
* Witness's opportunity to _view the defendant_ at the crime scene
* The _certainty_ of the witness's identification
* The _specificity_ of the description given to the police
77
* What do grand juries do?
* Are their proceedings public?
* Do states have to use them as part of the charing process?
* They issue indictments
* They are secret
* States do not have to use them, but many do
78
What are the different types of grand juries in Virginia?
How many jurors do they have?
What do they do?
* Regular/charging grand juries
* 5 - 9 jurors
* Consider _bills of indictment_ prepared by the Commonwealth's attorney
* Determine whether there was sufficient _probable cause_ to return a _true bill_
* Special/investigative grand juries
* 9 - 11 jurors
* _Investigates_ and makes a _report_
* That is filed with the court
* Multi-jurisdictional grand juries
* Acts across jurisdictional lines within Virginia to investigate and return indictments
79
What is the standard of proof for pre-trial detention?
The government needs _probable cause_ both to:
* _Bind_ a defendant over for trial
* _Detain_ a defendant in jail before trial
80
What is a detention hearing?
When is it necessary?
Also known as a _Gerstein_ hearing
Used to determine _probable cause_
Unnecessary to justify pretrial detention if:
* Grand jury has issued an _indictment_
* Magistrate has issued an _arrest warrant_
(Already probable cause in those situations)
81
What is the "first appearance"?
Soon after arrest, a defendant must be brought before a magistrate who will:
1. _Advise_ the defendant of his rights
2. Set _bail_
3. Appoint _counsel_ (if necessary)
82
When can you appeal a bail decision?
Immediately
83
Is there a right to bail in Virginia?
The accused has a right to bail unless there is:
* _Probable cause_
* To believe the accused either:
* _Will not appear_ for trial
* Poses an _unreasonable danger_ to himself or the public
(i.e., flight or fight)
84
In Virignia, is there ever a situation where there is no right to bail?
Yes, if the person is accused of a violent crime
85
What is one of a prosecutor's main obligations in a case?
Disclose all _material exculpatory evidence_ to a criminal defendant
86
What does the right to an unbiased judge mean?
* Judge has no _financial stake_ in the outcome of the case
* Judge has no _actual malice_ towards the defendant
87
When do criminal defendants have a right to a jury?
When the maximum authorized sentence exceeds _6 months_
The judge cannot sentence a defendant to more than 6 months if he had a right to a jury trial and did not receive one
88
Under common law, what is the fewest number of jurors required in a criminal trial?
6 jurors
89
In Virginia, what is the fewest number of jurors required for a felony trial?
What about a misdemeanor trial?
Felony - 12 jurors
Misdemeanor - 7 jurors
90
Under common law, when must jury verdicts in criminal trials be unanimous?
Only if 6 jurors are used
91
What are the Virginia distinctions regarding juries?
* Juries generally _sentence_
* Criminal verdicts have to be:
* _Unanimous_
* In _writing_
* Returned by a jury in _open court_
92
What are peremptory challenges?
They permit both sides to exclude jurors without stating a reason, so long as it is not based on _race or gender_
93
In Virginia, how many good cause challenges does a lawyer get?
What about peremptory?
Good cause
* Unlimited
Peremptory
* Felony
* 4
* Misdemeanor
* 3
94
In Virginia, what happens if a defendant does not get unlimited good cause challenges to the jury?
This is reversible error, even if the juror ended up being excluded under a peremptory challenge
95
Is there any situation in which the 6th Amendment's Confrontation Clause would not apply?
When face-to-face confrontation would _contravene important public policy conerns_
E.g., traumatizing a child witness
96
What is the test for claims of ineffective assistance of counsel?
1. Counsel's performance was _deficient_
2. But for the deficiency, the outcome of the trial _would have been different_ (i.e., prejudice requirement)
E.g., no deficiency when attorney took cat naps during trial
E.g., no prejudice when attorney took 15 minute nap during direct testimony because witness testified to non-contested matters
97
What is the exam tip for ineffective assitance of counsel claims?
Unless there is some colorable argument that the defendant is _actually not guilty_, relief should be denied under such claim
98
What does the judge have to do to make a guilty plea valid?
1. Establish that the plea is
* Voluntary
* Intelligent
2. Address, in open court, on the record:
* Nature of the charges
* Consequences of the plea
99
Can a defendant withdraw a guilty plea after sentencing?
Only if either:
* The plea was _involuntary_ due to a defect in the plea-taking colloquy
* There was a _jurisdictional defect_ (i.e., wrong court took the plea)
* Defendant prevails on _IAC claim_
* Prosecutor _fails to fulfill_ part of the bargain
100
What are the types of pleas other than a guilty plea?
* _Nolo contendere_ plea
* Court may consider defendant guilty for purposes of imposing judgment and sentencing, but it is neither a confession nor a declaration of innocence
* _Conditional_ guilty plea
* Defendant contests one issue of the case, but agrees to plead guilty if he can appeal that issue
* _Alford_ plea
* Defendant concedes only that the prosecution has sufficient evidence to prove the case
101
Under common law, what is the effect of a nolo contendere plea on later civil cases?
What about in Virginia?
Common law
* Defendant is _not estopped_ in a civil case from denying liability
Virginia
* _Admissible_ in civil litigation against defendant
102
When is a conditional guilty plea available in Virginia?
Only in felony cases
103
What are the Virginia rules on withdrawal of pleas?
Defendant may withdraw:
* Guilty plea
* Nolo contendere plea
But only either:
* _Before_ sentence is imposed
* Imposition of sentence is _suspended_
* Within _21 days after entry of a final order_ if the court sets aside the judgment in order to correct a manifest unjustice
104
What does that 8th Amendment do?
Prohibits _cruel and unusual punishment_, including criminal penalties that are _grossly disproportionate_ to the seriousness of the offense
105
Can a death penalty statute violate the 8th Amendment?
Yes, if it creates an _automatic category_ for imposition of the death penalty
106
Against what categories of defendants does the 8th Amendment prohibit the death penalty?
* _Mentally retarded_ defendants
* _Presently insane_ defendants
* Defendants who were _under 18_ at the time of the offense
107
For purposes of double jeopardy, when does jeopardy attach?
Jury trial
* When the _jury_ is sworn
Bench trial
* When the _first witness_ is sworn
Guilty plea
* When the court _accepts the defendant's plea unconditionally_
108
Does the double jeopardy clause apply to civil proceedings?
No
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What are the requirements for double jeopardy?
1. It must _attach_
2. It must involve the _same offense_
3. It must involve the _same sovereign_
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For purposes of double jeopardy, when are two offenses not the same?
When each contains an element that the other does not contain
Lesser-included offenses
* If any one offense is _completely subsumed_ by another, such as a lesser included offense, the two offenses are deemed the same, and punishment is allowed only for one (i.e., only one offense contains an element that is separate from the other)
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For purposes of double jeopardy, what is the same sovereign?
States and municipalities within them
But not:
* State and federal government
* Different states
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What are the exceptions to the double jeopardy rule?
1. Hung jury
2. Mistrial for manifest necessity
3. Successful appeal, unless
* Reversal on appeal was based on insufficiency of evidence presented by prosecution
4. Breach of plea agreement by defendant
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In Virginia, what is the rule for double jeopardy?
Conspiracy
* Prosecution for the substantive offense bars later prosecution for the related conspiracy
Federal prosecution
* Prosecution for a federal crime bars later state prosecution under the equitablent state statute
* Note - federal trial must come first
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Who can assert the fifth amendment?
Anyone
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When can the fifth amendment privilege be asserted?
In any proceeding in which an individual testifies _under oath_
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When must the fifth amendment privilege be asserted?
At the _first opportunity_
Otherwise, it is forever _waived_
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How do you eliminate the fifth amendment privilege?
1. Prosecutorial grant of _use and derivative use immunity_
* Prosecution cannot use your testimony or anything derived from it to convict you
2. Defendant taking the stand
* Defendant waives the privilege as to anything properly within the scope of cross-examination
3. Statute of limitations
* If the statute of limitations has run on the underlying crime, the privilege is not available since he could not be exposed to criminal prosecution
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How do you determine whether an individual's right to a speedy trial has been violated?
_Totality of the circumstances_, based on:
* Length of delay
* Reason for delay
* Whether defendant asserted the right
* Prejudice to defendant
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What is the remedy for violation of the right to a speedy trial?
Dismissal with prejudice
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When does the right to a speedy trial attach?
When the defendant is either:
* Arrested
* Formally charged
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What are the Virginia distinctions for the right to a speedy trial?
Accused is permanently discharged from prosecution if he committed a felony and trial does not begin within:
* Defendant in custody - 5 months
* Defendant not in custody - 9 months
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For speedy trial purposes, when is a trial commenced?
Either
* When double jeopardy attaches
* A guilty plea or nolo contendere plea is tendered
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What events can toll the right to a speedy trial?
* Insanity
* Escape
* Witness issues
* Separate trials
* Hung jury
* Natural disaster
* Continuance on motion by accused
* Appeals
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How do you waive your right to a speedy trial?
Either by:
* Failing to invoke it after final judgment
* Failing to oppose a motion for a continuance
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What are solutions fo publicity issues in a trial?
* Delay trial
* Sequester jury
* Change venue
* Close the trial
* Only allowed if both:
* Compelling interest
* No less restrictive alternative
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In Virginia, for district courts:
* Are there juries?
* Is there a record?
* What jurisdiction does the court have?
* No juries
* No record
* Jurisdiction over:
* Misdemeanors
* Preliminary hearings for felonies
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In Virginia, for circuit courts:
* Are there juries?
* Is there a record?
* What jurisdiction does the court have?
* Jury - yes (but bench too)
* Record - yes
* Jurisdiction over felonies and appeals from district court (de novo)
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In Virginia, for courts of appeal:
* Is there appeal of right?
* What jurisdiction do they have?
* No appeal of right
* Jurisdiction of final appeals for misdemeanor convictions if no jail
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What does the Virginia supreme court hear?
* Substantial _constitutional_ issues
* Issues of significant _precedential_ value
* _Death penalty_ cases (automatically)
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In Virginia, what is the statute of limitations for:
* Felony
* Misdemeanor
* Continuing offense (e.g., desertion or nonsupport)
Felony - none
Misdemeanor - 1 year
Continuing offense - none
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In Virginia, where are preliminary hearings heard?
Who has a right to one?
District court
Accused charged with a felony unless an indictment is returned beforehand
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In a preliminary hearing in Virginia, what are the options for the judge?
* No probable cause - discharge defendant
* Probable cause
* Misdemeanor
* Charge defendant and proceed to trial
* Felony
* Charge defendant, but because district court does not have jurisdiction,
* Certify to circuit court
* Commit accused to jail or set bail
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In Virginia, what are the different forms of indictment?
1. Indictment
* Prepared by the Commonwealth's attorney
* Returned a true bill by grand jury
2. Presentment
* Written accusation of a crime
* Prepared and returned by a grand jury
3. Information
* Written accusation of a crime, or
* Complaint for forfeiture of money or property
* Prepared and presented by a public official upon his oath in office
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When is an indictment or presentment required?
If the defendant is charged with a felony and has not waived this right
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What is habeas corpus?
What are the grounds for it?
_Civil trial_ in which defendant sues the government for:
* Holding him on an unconstituational basis
* Holding him in an unconstitutional manner
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Where must a habeas corpus case be filed?
Where the defendant was originally sentences, unless it is a death penalty case, which goes to the supreme court
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What are the non-waivable rights in Virginia?
* Appearance
* Failure to state an offense
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What rights are waivable by affirmative action?
* Right to counsel
* Miranda rights
* Right to jury trial
