Exam 3 Flashcards
What is the order of pretrial events?
Arrest
Decision to Charge
Charging Documents and Initial Appearance
Arraignment
Discovery and Pretrial Motions
Plea Bargaining negotiations and trial prep
Resolution or Trial
Who does one appear in front of for an initial appearance for a felony charge?
Lower court judge (justice of the peace)
When is a plea entered?
Arraignment
What is an omnibus hearing?
Everything included, after not guilty plea but before trial date
When is the right to a speedy trial most important?
When a defendant is in custody
What is the standard for police to make an arrest?
Probable Cause
What is a prosecutor’s greatest power?
Discretion: over who, what, and when to charge
What is one of the motivations of prosecutors?
Likelihood of getting a conviction
What is Brady?
Prosecutors must turn over evidence that will help defense
What happened with the Duke Lacrosse team?
A false allegation and an overzealous prosecutor lead to a wrongful conviction
What is the role of judges?
Preside over the courtroom
What is the role of prosecutors?
Duty to the truth
What is the rule of the grand jury under the 5th amendment?
No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment of indictment of a grand jury
What is the difference between a federal indictment and a state information?
Indictment is a federal check of the prosecutor
Information is filed directly by a prosecutor
What happens before jailing?
Booking: paperwork, fingerprinting, etc.