Criminal slides part 3 Flashcards
What is an application to dismiss?
A pre-trial application to have the charges against a defendant dismissed.
What is Voir Dire?
Hearing evidence on a legal argument is called a trial “on the voir dire.” A mini trial and evidence will only relate to matters in dispute and has a special form of oath.
When can application to dismiss be made?
- only after a defendant is sent by the mags to the CC for trial
- Only after D has been served with evidence relating to the offence; AND
- Only before D is arraigned.
Who is an application to dismiss made to?
a crown court judge and if D wishes to make an oral application D must give written notice of their intention to do so.
What is the test for an application to dismiss?
Should be quashed if it appears the evidence against the applicant would not be sufficient for him to be properly convicted.
This is the same test as when the D make a submission of no case to answer:
R v Galbraith: The judge should stop the case where:
a) There is no evidence that the crime has been committed by the defendant OR
b)The prosecution evidence, taken at its highest, is such that a properly directed jury could not properly convict on it.
What is a submission of no case to answer?
After a prosecution has presented all its evidence, the defence can submit that there is no case to answer.
What is the test for a submission of no case to answer?
R v Galbraith: ‘(1) if there is no evidence that the crime alleged has been committed by the defendant, there is no difficulty. The judge will of course stop the case;
(2) The difficulty arises where there is some evidence but it is of a tenuous character, for example because of inherent weakness or vagueness or because it is inconsistent with other evidence.
(a) Where the judge comes to the conclusion that the prosecution evidence, taken at its highest, is such that a jury properly directed could not properly convict upon it, it is his duty, upon a submission being made, to stop the case.
(b) Where, however, the prosecution evidence is such that its strength or weakness depends on the view to be taken of a witness’s reliability, or other matters which are generally speaking within the province of the jury and where on one possible view of the facts there is evidence upon which a jury could properly come to the conclusion that the defendant is guilty, then the judge should allow the matter to be tried by the jury …’
If section 78 relates to less significant matters what will happen?
where the application relates to less significant matters, the judge might direct for that matter to be dealt with at a convenient moment during the trial.
If the argument is not heard before the case commences, the prosecution should avoid making any reference to the disputed evidence in the opening speech.
What are the differences of Voir Dire in Crown and Magistrates Court?
In the crown court, it takes place in the absence of the jury. In the mags, they can rule on a s78 or hear all the evidence before ruling on admissibility.
When may a ruling of admissibility be made earlier?
However ruling for admissibility may be made earlier if its in the interest of justice to do so e.g. to allow D to know whether evidence forms part of the case. (So D knows how to be tactical)
If a submission of no case to answer is successful or unsuccessful, what should the court do?
Crown court:
Successful: Tell the jury to being a verdict of not guilty.
Unsuccessful: Bring the jury back in and carry on as normal.
Mags and CC:
Unsuccessful: There is no obligation for the court to give reasons why it has been rejected.
What is an abuse of process application?
An application to stay the proceedings when Issues of fairness or impropriety are so fundamental that for the trial to continue would be an abuse of the process of the court. Less to do with evidence and more about if the trial should even go ahead.
What are the two categories of an abuse of process application?
1) where it will be impossible to give the accused a fair tria
2) where it offends the court’s sense of justice and propriety to be asked to try the accused in the particular circumstances of the case.
What are examples of an abuse of process?
• where a defendant has been tricked or coerced into committing an offence the defendant would not otherwise have committed
• where a defendant is prosecuted despite an unequivocal promise by the prosecution that the defendant will not be
• where the police have acted in such a way as to undermine public confidence in the criminal justice system and bring it into disrepute, such as by deliberately destroying evidence that would have assisted the defence
• where the prosecution has manipulated or misused the process of the court so as to deprive a defendant of a protection afforded by law.
-The prosecution delay proceedings deliberately to gain a tactical advantage.
How does an abuse of process application differ from a return of not guilty verdict?
If an application for a stay for abuse of process is permitted, the court will order a stay on the proceedings. This means the prosecution would not be able to proceed with the case. Therefore its as if the case never happened.
What is the burden and standard of proof for an abuse of process application?
Balance of probabilities on the defence.
Where is an abuse of process application dealt with?
Mainly dealt with in the CC.
Can be dealt with in mags but only on one ground: That the defendant is unable to have a fair trial.
Section 78 applications test?
the police misbehaved and there was a significant, substantial breach of code which resulted in unfairness to the defendant
What is the normal burden and standard of proof in a trial?
beyond reasonable doubt on the prosecution
What is the common law discretion to exclude evidence (S82(3) PACE)?
exclude evidence where its prejudicial effect outweighs its probative value;
if it is necessary in order to secure a fair trial for the accused.
Who can make an application under the common law discretion to exclude evidence?
The defendant can make an application against the prosecution.
The prosecution or the co-defendant cannot make an application against the defendant.
What is a S78 PACE application?
to exclude evidence on the circumstances in which the evidence was obtained, the admission of the evidence would have such an adverse effect on the fairness of the proceedings that the court ought not to admit it
What evidence does a S78 PACE application apply to?
Only applies to evidence that the prosecution proposes to rely on.
So can only be made by a defendant or co-defendant to the prosecution.
What kind of evidence might be excluded under S78?
Any evidence that was obtained unlawfully, improperly or unfairly. For example, PACE or human rights were breached to obtain it.