Florida Criminal Procedure Flashcards
What are the 4 major topics in FL Crim Pro?
- Pre-trial: detention & release
- Pre-trail: Moving teh case
- Trial
- Post-trial
What are the 4 major topics in the Pre-trial custody and release topic?
- Notice to Appear
- First Appearance
- probable cause determination
- Adversary preliminary hearing
What are the two broad topics of issues under Pre-trial, moving the case?
- issues propelling the case toward trial
2. issues propelling teh case to a resolution other than trial.
What are the issues propelling the case toward trial?
- charging docs
- joinder and severance
- motions (sppedy trial, change of venue, disqualification)
- discovery
What are the issues propelling the case toward a resolution other than trial?
- plea bargaining
- arraignment
- plea proceedings
- motions (to dismiss, to suppress, incompetence to proceed, continuance)
What are the three major issues that come up in the trial stage?
- voir dire
- closing arguments
- deliberation process
What are the major issues during post-trial process?
- release of defendants
1. motions by defendants
Which courts are most relevant to FL Crim Pro?
Trial courts: circuit court and county court
appellate courts = FL SCT and (5) DCAs
The circuit court has jurisdiction over what criminal cases?
MIS FEL WRIJ
- Misdemeanors joined w/ felonies
- Felonies
- Writs
- Juvenile cases
The county court has jx over which criminal cases?
- misdemeanors
- municipal and county ordinance violations
- first appearances
Tarzan is charged with a first offense DUI. Which court has jx over the case?
County court.
Define felony
- potential incarceration of greater than 1 year
2. sentence generally served in prison
Define misdemeanor
- potential incarceration of up to a year
2. sentence generally served in jail
Peter Stallone is charged with assaulting Norris. He is convicted and sentenced to 60 days, sentence suspended. Did Stallone commit a felony or misdemeanor?
It depends on the potential length of the sentence. If greater than 1 year = felony. If less than 1 year = misdemeanor.
What are the duties of a prosecutor?
Charge, file motions, plead, discovery, try cases
T/F: A right to counsel exists in most prosecutions?
True, but not all.
Indigent defendants are entitled to appointed counsel in:
2 EXCEPTION= Can avoid providing counsel in some cases if the judge notifies the parties and orders that he will not incarcerate the defendant in writing.
- felonies (Gideon)
- misdemeanors or ordinance violations punishable by incarceration* SEE EXCEPTION
- juvenile cases
- The first direct appeal in 1, 2, or 3 above.
Generally, an accused is entitled to appointed counsel for violation of a misdemeanor or ordinance violation punishable by incarceration EXCEPT
when the judge notifies the parties and promises not to incarcerate the defendant in writing
T/F: An accused entitled to an attorney does NOT have to be represented by one?
True. An accused can waive.
What are the requirements for an accused entitled to an attorney to waive that right?
Waiver must be KIV: knowing intelligent voluntary (factors assessed to make this determination)
psycho delusions means no KIV
What factors are considered in determining whether a waiver of counsel is knowing, intelligent, and voluntary?
education, prior experience in court, the nature and complexity of the case, age, mental condition, etc.
If a defendant desires to plead guilty, is this equivalent ot a waiver of counsel?
Nope - definitely not.
D has paranoid delusions that she is the best lawyer in the world. In fact, she’s an architect. If she wishes to waive counsel, should the court allow it?
Generally, no. Psychological delusions not KIV.
Can a defendant who would rather watch tv than appear in court waive counsel from away from court?
Yes, but 1) must be in writing AND 2) need 2 witnesses saying waiver was voluntary.
If the accused waives counsel, is it permanent?
Nope. Judge renews the offer of counsel at every succeeding stage of the proceedings. (including pre-trial stages). 6th am. guarantee
What does pre-trial custody mean?
Keeps the defendant (accused) incarcerated or with restraints of liberty pre-trial (house arrest, drug tests, limits on association).
Why are defendants kept in jail or restricted pre-trial?
- Minimize threat to society
- minimize threat to judicial process
- prevent running away
- (unofficial): more likely to plead if in jail.
What are 3 ways to ensure the accused will return to court?
- Judge may issue an ARREST WARRANT or a BENCH WARRANT
- For misdemeanors, the clerk’s office can issue SUMMONS
- A police officer can issue a NOTICE TO APPEAR.
What is a notice to appear?
a signed promise by the accused to return to court. It is a substitute for physical arrest. It can only be used in misdemeanors and ordinance violations.
When can a notice to appear be used?
ONly in misdemeanors and ordinance violations.
Who issues a notice to appear?
the arresting office
If Sally Sand is apprehended for shoplifting, a misdemeanor, she might be issued a notice to appear by whom?
the arresting officer
A notice to appear won’t be issued by the arresting officer if:
- Accused refuses to sign the notice, identify herself, or supply req’d info
- the accused constitutes an unreasonable risk of bodily harm to herself or others
- the accused has no ties w. the jurisidction or likely won’t respond to the notice
- the office suspects that the accsued may be wanted
- or, it appears that the accused as violated a notice, summons, or release condition in the past.
- Key is reliability.
If Office Krupke, the arresting officer, decides not to issue Sally a notice to appear, is she still eligible for one?
Yes - she gets a second try with the booking officer who considers the reliability factors.
Who is entitled to pre-trial release?
All persons in custody for the alleged commission of a crime are presumptively entitled to release on reasonable conditions except:
- charged w/ capital or life felony AND
- proof of guilt is evidence or presumption of guilt is great (look for lots of evidence like affidavits)
If Rambo Jr. is charged with an Okeechobee chain saw massacre of eight persons, is he entitled to release?
Maybe. It depends on whether he is charged with a capital or life felony and the extent of the evidence offered against him.
What are the different types of pre-trial release conditions?
- Personal recognizance of defendant
- execution of an unsecured appearnce bond
- placing D in the custody of a designated person or organization agreeing to supervise him
- placing restrictions on work, association, drug testing, travel (bracelet)
- execution of a bail bond with sureties
- deposit a cash bond with the court; or
- imposing any reasonable condition deemed necessary to assure D’s appearance ** (look for reasonableness of conditions).
When is pre-trial release determined?
at the first appearance (admin hearing)
The first appearance is an appearance by the accused before a neutral judicial officer within _____ hours of arrest.
24
What occurs during the first appearance?
CARP
C - counsel is appointed
A - advice is given re the charge against the accused, the right to counsel - for free if indigent - the right to communicate with counsel, family or friends, and the right to remain silent); AND
R - Release is determined
(P) - Generally, a probably cause determination also occurs during the first appearance. (need PC to keep detained). Shall occur at first appearnce if all of the papaerwork from police is ready - police reports
A probable cause determination will occur at the first appearance if _________.
all of the paperwork from teh police is ready - police reports
What is a good way to remember what you need to know regarding first appearance?
CARP24 counsel appointed advice given release determined probable cause determination
needs to happen within 24 hours of the accused’s arrest
Country music star Susannah is arrested for battery with a banjo. She is taken before a judicial officer, by audiovisual cameral 28 hours after arrest. Permissible?
Audio visual ok, but violated 24 hour rule.
What happens if the first appearane hearing does not occur within 24 hours?
accused is released, but case still goes on.
Why is a probable cause determination required?
As a check on the gov’t and to ensure accurance in detention - check on the police who were supposed to have pc to arrest
A defendant in custody is entitled to a judicial detemrination of probable cause, which must be made within ____ hours of arrest. Why?
48 hours. To ensure there is p.c. to deprive person of liberty. (Plus, prosecutor gets 2 24 hour extensions)
(often occurs at first appearance)
The nonadversary probable cause determination is not a hearing; it is conducted by a magistrate on the basis of:
Whether the papers/ police reports show probable cause to be detained. (Remember, if not, case still goes on, just can’t be detained).
Must a defendant be released from custody if the prosecutors seek a probable cause determination during the 85th hour after the arrest?
Prob. not. In addition to the 48 hours, the prosecutor gets two 24 hour extensions for good cause (reports not done, injured, sick).
John is arrested on assault charges and released on personal recognizance. Is he entitled to a probable cause determination?
Generally no. It’s for people in custody and sometimes those w/ sig. restraints.
If John is released with significant restraints on his liberty, what rules apply?
- John has to request PC determination
- Judge decides whether restraints are significant
- If yes, Judge must determine whether there is PC within 7 days of the motion
What is the adversary preliminary hearing?
A special 2nd PC determination that only occurs sometimes and for some defendants used to spur prosecutors to action.
When does an adversary preliminary hearing take place?
With:
- a felony defendant who
- is generally detained by the gov’t and
- who has not had formal charges filed against him by the prosecution within 21 days of arrest. (police charges not enough, need prosecutor’s formal charges.
What is an adversary hearing?
Evidentiary hearing with counsel, witnesses, direct & cross examination
What are the potential consequences of an adversarial preliminary hearing?
If no PC: D is eligible for release from custody (case continues)
If PC: NO change EXCEPT, if the state still fails to formally charge teh accused after the Adversary Preliminary Hearing, the state must release teh defendant by the 33rd day after arrest. (with extra 7 day extension for good cause – 40 days)
If PC is found at the Adversary Preliminary Hearing, but the state still fails to formally charge the accused, _______.
the state must release teh defendant by the 33rd day after arrest. BUT, the state may seek an additional 7 days to hold the D after the intital 33 day period so long as good cause is shown. (40 days total).
What are the requirements for a prosecutor’s motion for pre-trial detention of the accused?
- Accused is charged with a dangerous crime (BAARK)
- D may be detained upon the motion of the state AND
- Hearing that shows w/ proof beyond a reasonable doubt that the accused
- poses a threat of harm to the community; or
- is charged with a drug trafficking offense and is likely to flee; or
- poses a threat to the judicial process; or
- is likely to flee
Different forms of charging instruments exist. These instruments provide ________.
Notice to the accused. (objective standard)
What are the 3 types of charging documents?
- Indictment
- Informations
- Other charging instruments (docket entries, affidavits, notices to appear (double duty)).
What is an indictment?
Returned by a grand jury. Charging instrument used to provide notice to the accused.
What is an Information?
A paper filed by the prosecutor to provide notice to the accused. Charging instrument.
What are the formalities of indictments and informations?
NICE SANTA
N- name of the accused (or alias or just first name)
I - intent to defraud (must be fraud involved)
C- caption (name of court & Parties)
E - endorsement & signature (indictment must be signed by teh foreperson of the grand jury and endorsed by a prosecutor.
S- signature & oath (state atty must sign and swear that there is testimony supporting the charge if felony)
A - authority - under whose auspices the indictment or info is being filed. e.g. state of Florida
N - nature of the offense (basic facts)
T - time and place - when and where the offense occurred as definitely as possible. Very important and cant’ be changed if it will prejudice the other side.
A - allegation of facts for each charge
When can other charging instruments other than indictment and information be used? What are they?
Can be used in county court. INcludd docket entries, affidavits, and notice to appear (can serve as charging document as well as “get back to court” document)
What charging instruments are permissible in:
- capital crimes?
- non-capital felonies?
- circuit court misdemeanor prosecutions?
- county court cases - misdemeanors and ordinance violations?
- must be indictment by grand jury
- indictment or information (life & felonies 1, 2, 3)
- indictment or information
- any charging instruments (inc. other)
Jones is charged in an information with sexual battery on a child under teh age of 12 during the six year period, 2000-2006. Jones is served with the information at arraignment, at which time he is to enter a plea to the charges. Can he cry foul?
3 options:
1. Defective indictment or information (seeks dismissal because so vague or misleading it would hinder the defense)
- file motion for statement of the particulars (state must provide him the date, place, and nature of the alleged offense
- D is entitled to a copy of hte charging document 24 hours in advance of the plea (if not given and Jones still pleas, then right is waived).
What do the issues of joinder and severance address?
Whether defendants and offenses can be charged together (joinder) in the same charging instrument or separated (severed) after being joined.
Joinder of offenses for the same defendant can occur if _______.
the acts or transactions are connected. Need a meaningful relationship between the acts.
Gus committed armed robbery, shoplifting of a wig, and arson of a grocery store, all in the same day. Can the offenses be joined together?
Only if you can show a connection. So if Gus shoplifted the wig in order to pull off the armed robbery and the arson was to be a diversion from the robbery.
When will a joinder of co-defendants be permitted?
If:
- each defendant is charged in each count; or
- conspiracy plus (each D is charged with conspiracy and some Ds are charged w/ substantive offenses)
- the offenses are all part of a common scheme or plan *
Drake and Cake commit separate armed robberies on the same day. Can the Ds be charged in the same information or indictment?
It depends on whether a connection can be made – common scheme or plan?
Defendant Bono is separately charged with arson and assault (indictments made), Can he have those offenses consolidated?
Yes, if they could have been joined in the first place. Delayed joinder.
For charges _________, the defense has a right to sever.
improperly joined
Even if charges are properly joined, severance can still occur to sever two peroperly joined offenses pre-trial if _______.
If the severance is appropriate to promote fair proceedings. (compare w. necessary during trial)
Even if charges are properly joined, severance can still occur to sever two peroperly joined offenses during trial if _______.
it is necessary to promote fair proceeding (compare with appropriate pre-trial).
If the prosecutor moves to sever offenses, can she?
ONly with the defendant consents