Excluding Confessions - s76 Flashcards

1
Q

What is the definition of a confession?

A

Any statement wholly or partly adverse to the person who made it, whether made to a person in authority or not and whether made in words or otherwise

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

What falls within the definition of a confession in PACE 1984?

A
  • Unequivocal confessions of guilt
  • Mixed statements (partly inculpatory and partly exculpatory)
  • Body language (i.e. a nod)
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

What is a partly inculpatory and partly exculpatory statement example?

A

I didn’t chef him, but I was glad to see him die

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

When will confessions not be allowed as per s76?

A
  • If obtained by oppression
  • If unreliable
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

What is included in oppression?

A
  • Torture
  • Inhuman or degrading treatment
  • Use of threat of violence
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

What is the R v Fulling definition of oppression?

A
  • Exercise of authority in a burdensome, harsh or wrongful manner;
  • Unjust or cruel;
  • Imposition of unreasonable or unjust burdens
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

If the defence represents confession obtained by oppression, or court chooses to act of its own motion under s76, what must the prosecution do?

A

Prove beyond a reasonable doubt that it was not so obtained

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

What is the three step approach to unreliability of confessions?

A

1) Identify thing said or done which would render it unreliable
2) Ask whether the circumstances render it unreliable (objective test)
3) Ask whether prosecution has proved beyond a reasonable doubt confession was not obtained in consequence of unreliability

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

What sort of things said or done could render a confession unreliable?

A
  • Promise to release if they tell all
  • Promise of bail on a full confession
  • Threat to arrest suspect’s partner if they do not cooperate
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

When asking whether circumstances would render it unreliable, what does that mean?

A

The test is not whether it was untruthful or inaccurate, but if the circumstances at the time of the confession, likely rendered it to be unreliable

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

What are some examples of unreliable confession?

A
  • Deprivation of sleep
  • Failure to caution
  • Denial of access to legal advice
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

If a confession is wholly or partly excluded, what would it not affect the admissibility of?

A
  • Any facts discovered as a result of confession
  • If confession is relevant to showing that accused speaks, writes or expresses himself in a certain way
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

Can the prosecution suggest that evidence was found as a result of an excluded confession?

A

No, it would circumvent the exclusion of the confession…

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

What is a partly inculpatory and partly exculpatory statement example?

A

I didn’t chef him, but I was glad to see him die

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

When will confessions not be allowed as per s76?

A
  • If obtained by oppression
  • If unreliable
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

What is included in oppression?

A
  • Torture
  • Inhuman or degrading treatment
  • Use of threat of violence
17
Q

What is the R v Fulling definition of oppression?

A
  • Exercise of authority in a burdensome, harsh or wrongful manner;
  • Unjust or cruel;
  • Imposition of unreasonable or unjust burdens
18
Q

If the defence represents confession obtained by oppression, or court chooses to act of its own motion under s76, what must the prosecution do?

A

Prove beyond a reasonable doubt that it was not so obtained

19
Q

What is the three step approach to unreliability of confessions?

A

1) Identify thing said or done which would render it unreliable
2) Ask whether the circumstances render it unreliable (objective test)
3) Ask whether prosecution has proved beyond a reasonable doubt confession was not obtained in consequence of unreliability

20
Q

What sort of things said or done could render a confession unreliable?

A
  • Promise to release if they tell all
  • Promise of bail on a full confession
  • Threat to arrest suspect’s partner if they do not cooperate
21
Q

When asking whether circumstances would render it unreliable, what does that mean?

A

The test is not whether it was untruthful or inaccurate, but if the circumstances at the time of the confession, likely rendered it to be unreliable

22
Q

What are some examples of unreliable confession?

A
  • Deprivation of sleep
  • Failure to caution
  • Denial of access to legal advice
23
Q

If a confession is wholly or partly excluded, what would it not affect the admissibility of?

A
  • Any facts discovered as a result of confession
  • If confession is relevant to showing that accused speaks, writes or expresses himself in a certain way
24
Q

Can the prosecution suggest that evidence was found as a result of an excluded confession?

A

No, it would circumvent the exclusion of the confession…