FL Crim Pro Flashcards
Which cases do circuit courts hear?
Misdemeanors
Felonies
Writs (habeas)
Juvenile
Which cases do county courts hear?
Misdmeanors, municipal and county ordinance violations, first appearances
When can the state avoid providing counsel to D?
If the case is NOT a felony and
the judge agrees 15 days in advance that D won’t be incarcerated
What must a judge do if D waives right to counsel?
Must offer counsel at each subsequent stage of the proceeding
Can D waive his right to an attorney outside of court?
Yes - in writing before 2 witnesses
Who may issue an arrest warrant for a misd?
Any state or county judge and court clerks
Who may issue an arrest warrant for felonies?
State or county judges
When is a capias appropriate?
(1) When D failed to appear as required or
(2) when formal charges have been filed by informaton or indictment and D isn’t in custody nor out on bail
When must the first appearance occur?
Within 24 hours of arrest
What happens at first appearance?
Counsel appointed, advisals to D, release conditions set and probable cause deterimination (if paperwork is ready)
Who is entitled to a probable cause determination?
People in custody or under significant restraints on their liberty
When must a probable cause determination be made for a person in custody?
48 hours of arrest (but state is permitted two 24 hour extensions for good cause)
When is a defendant on pretrial release entitled to a probable cause determination?
If he files a motion for PC within 21 days of arrest and if liberty is significantly restrained. Magistrate must make determination within 7 days of motion.
How long does magistrate have to make PC determination upon out-of-custody D’s motion for probable cause determination?
7 days from the motion
Who has a right to an adversary preliminary hearing?
A felony defendant who is detained who hasn’t been charged within 21 days of arrest. If D remains in custody and not charged within 30 days of arrest, he must be released by the 33rd day. The state may receive an additional 7 days to hold D for good cause, but must be released by 40th day if charges not filed.
What are the technical requirements for an indictment or information?
Name or alias
Intent to defraud (can be asserted in general terms)
Caption (not essential)
Endorsement and signature of GJ or pros
Signature and oath of state attorney
Authority under whose auspices charge is filed
Nature of offense
Time and place as definitely as possible
Allegations of facts
When can formal defects of an indictment be amended?
any time before trial
When will an indictment or information be dismissed?
when it is so vague, indistinct and indefinite as ot mislead D or expose them to substnatial danger of new prosecution for same expense
What should D do when charge fails to inform D of particulars of offense?
D may file motion and request prosecutor to provide statement of particulars. The statement must specify as definitely as possible the place, date and all other material facts requested which are known to prosecutor
When does D have a right to copy of the charging instrument?
At least 24 hours before he is required to plead. If he pleads anyway, the request is waived.
When can an indictment charge 2 or more defendants?
(1) each D charged in each count
(2) each D charged with conpsiracy and some D’s also charged wiht substantive offense
(3) all offenses part of common scheme or plan
When can either side move to sever improperly joined charges?
If before trial: severance is appropriate to promote fair determination of D’s guilt or innocence
During trial: D consents and severance is necc to achieve a fair determination of D’s guilt or innocence
When can either side move to sever defendants?
Before trial: if necc to protect D’s speedy trial rights or appropriate to fair determination of guilt/innocence
During: D must consent, must be necc to achieve fair determination of guit/innocence
What happens when D files a motion for speedy trial?
He must be brought to trial within 50 days after the demand. If D files notice of expiration of speedy trial time, court must hold hearing within 5 days. If no excusable delay, court must order D to be brought to trial within 10 days.
When can an extension of speedy trial be granted?
(1) by stipulation
(2) delay necessary for pre-trial hearings or proceedings
(3) exceptional unforeseeable circumstances (but not general congestion of court calendar)
What are the exception circumstances that might justify an extension of speedy trial?
(1)unexpected unavailability of uniquely necc witness
(2) unusual complexity of the case that makes timely prep unreasonable
(3) unexpected developments necessitating delay
(4) accommodation of co-D where there is reason not to sever
(5) evidence currently unavailable that will become available
Can a defendant outside FL demand a speedy trial?
Not available until
(1) D returns to jx where charge is pending and
(2) written notice of D’s return is filed with FL ct or prosecutor
When can D move to change venue?
if for any reason other than an impartial judge, D cannot get an impartial trial in the county (pretrial publicity alone is insufficient for COV – must show prejudice or inability to obtain impartial jury)
When must a motion to change venue be made?
at least 10 days before trial unles good cause shown for delay
What is the format of motion to change venue?
In writing and accompanied by a certificate of good faith signed by moving party’s counsel and affidavits of at least 2 other persons setting out factual basis for motion
Motion to perpetuate testimony
can be brought when witness is out of state or unable to attend trial. Can use depo to perpetuate their testimony. Must be filed after indictment/info and more than 10 days before trial
When must a motion to protect ID of SA victim be granted?
(1) if vitim’s identity not known to community already
(2) victim hasn’t called public attention to offense
(3) disclosure would be offense to reasonable person and
(4) disclosure would endanger victim or make them unwilling to testify
What does D have an obligation to provide in discovery and when?
(1) names and addys of witnesses D will call w/in 15 days of getting state’s list of witnesses and
(2) disclose statements of expected defense witnesses, reports of experts intended to use w/in 15 days of getting that from state
Punishments for failure to comply with discovery
(1) order to comply
(2) continuance
(3) mistrial
(4) exclusion of undisclosed material/witness
(5) any other relief as just
Alibi
D only has obligation to disclose if state demands it. If they demand it, he must provide whereabouts at time of crime and name/addy of alibi witnesses at least 10 days before trial. State hten has 5 days to notify D of rebuttal Ws.
how much notice is required for battered spouse syndrome defense?
30 days
What is the effect if D pleads guilty but maintains his innocence?
it is sufficient that he acknowledges that the plea is in his best interest
When must a court permit withdrawal of guilty plea?
for good cause before sentencing
Can a D who pleads guilty or nolo contendere without reserving the right to appeal withdraw his plea?
yes within 30 days after rendition of sentence only on limited grounds:
lack of SMJ
violation of plea agreement
involuntary plea
sentencing error
When must a motion to dismiss be filed?
prior to or at arraignment unless it involves the following defenses (then allowed any time):
(1) double jeopardy
(2) D granted immunity
(3) D pardoned
(4) no facts are in dispute and facts don’t constitute p/f case of guilt
What is the state’s response to a motion to dismiss?
can file a demurrer (states that if D’s facts are true, there’s still a p/f case) or traverse (denies factual matters in D’s mx to dismiss)
What must a motion for continuance include?
certificate of good faith signed by counsel
Insanity as a defense
D must show by C&C. D must notify 15 days after arraignment or filing of written not guilty plea. Provide statement of nature of insanity and list of W’s who will prove insanity.
Noncapital criminal cases are tried before how many jurors?
6 (can waive if KIV)
Capital cases are tried before how many jurors
12 (unless D elects to be tried by judge and state concurs)