Criminal Procedure Flashcards
*What is covered by Sixth Amendment Right to Counsel
- EVERYONE has right to “effective assistance of counsel”
- US Sup. Ct requires states to provide counsel to indigent D where conviction is punishable by incarceration, and for one direct appeal of a criminal conviction (no right to choose).
When does Sixth Amendment right to counsel automatically attach?
When the person is formally charged with an offense. The right is specific to offense.
*When can state avoid providing counsel
o If the crime is a misdemeanor or ordinance violation and the judge files a written order certifying that the D will not be incarcerated at least 15 days before trial.
o If counsel was already appointed, court may discharge counsel unless D will be substantially disadvantaged, in which case the judge can keep counsel or give D time to prepare for trial or hire his own attorney.
Waiver of 6th Amendment Right to Counsel
∆ may knowingly, intelligently and voluntarily waive right to counsel at any stage, judge must determine if ∆ is competent to proceed pro se (and is not suffering from any mental illness - different from competent to stand trial, which is a much lower standard)
Where is waiver of 6th amendment right to counsel made
o Waiver must be made in court and on the record, or in writing signed and subscribed by 2 witnesses. Judge must make sure the D understands the right he is giving up.
o At each court appearance, judge must ask if D wants counsel
Can attorney of record for D withdraw?
Attorney of record for D cannot withdraw, except upon court approval on good cause shown or until after: filing notice of appeal, or if not filing, the time for filing has expired; or after substitute counsel is appointed.
Email service
Mandatory in criminal cases. Certificate of service to be included with all documents. 3 days added for service by email.
*Arrest warrant
- In writing and in the name of the State of Fla
- Person’s name or reasonably certain description
- Nature of the offense
- Command that person against whom the complaint is made be arrested and brought before a judge.
- Date and county where issued
Signed by judge, with his title
Amount of bail and return date.
*Notice to Appear
Written order issued to person by law enforcement officer in lieu of arrest.
Notice requires the person to appear in court or at gov’t office at specified date and time
*When can you use a Notice to Appear
Misdemeanors or local ordinance violations in county court
*Notice to Appear in Appropriate UNLESS
- Accused fails to sufficiently identify himself
- Accused refuses to sign the Notice to Appeal
- Officer believes that not taking accused into custody creates an unreasonable risk of bodily injury to the accused or to others
- Accused has no ties to juris, or there is no reason to believe he will respond to notice
- Officer suspects that accused is wanted in other juris
- Accused has previously failed to appear.
*When must arrested person be taken before a judicial officer
Within 24 hours of arrest - “First Appearance”. Can be in person or via electronic audio visual device.
*What is required at First Appearance
- inform D of charge
- provide copy of complaint
- advise D of right to remain silent
- advise of 6th amendment right to counsel
- Tell D he has right to communicate with family and friends.
*Pretrial Release
Every D entitled to Pretrial Release upon reasonable conditions unless
- charged with a capitol offense OR
- charged with offense punishable by life and
- Proof of guilt is evident or presumption of guilt is great.
*Capias
Bench warrant - issued by judge when D fails to appear in court as required, or when formal charges are filed by information or indictment.
*Failure to appear at First Appearance
results in issuance of bench warrant
*Info considered in determining pretrial release
Do not strictly adhere to rules of evidence.
*What conditions of pretrial release may court consider?
Bond, placing D in someone’s custody, restrictions upon travel, refraining from victim contact, GPS monitoring, etc. Ct can ROR unless D previously failed to appear - Presumption in favor of release on non monetary conditions
*How is a crime formally charged?
Indictment, information, notice to appear
*Indictment
Returned by a grand jury, signed by foreman and endorsed by state attorney
plain, concise and definite statement of essential facts, brought in name of state, cite the law violated, contain accused’s name, and state time and place of offense as precisely as possible.
*Information
Signed by state attorney or assistant under oath.
All prosecutions in circuit courts MUST be by indictment or information. Misd. and violations may be prosecuted by information in county court.
plain, concise and definite statement of essential facts, brought in name of state, cite the law violated, contain accused’s name, and state time and place of offense as precisely as possible.
*Information in a felony case
state attorney must certify that he has received testimony under oath from at least one witness.
*Affidavit, Docket Entry, Notice to Appear
For prosecutions for misd and municipal and cty ordinance viol in county court.
4th Amendment
Protects against unreasonable government searches and seizures