Investigation Flashcards
What does S22 of the BOR Act state with regard to arbitrary detention?
Every person has the right not to be arbitrarily arrested or detained.
What does S23 of the BOR Act state with regard to the rights of persons arrested or detained?
Arrested/Detained persons shall be informed at the time of their arrest the reason for it, shall be informed of their right to consult and instruct a lawyer, and shall have the right to the validity of the arrest/detention to be determined without delay and be released if it is unlawful.
They also have the right to be charged promptly or to be released, and if they are not released, be brought ASAP before the court/a tribunal.
Everyone who is arrested or detained shall be informed of their right to silence, and to be treated with humanity and respect for their inherent dignity.
What does S24 of the BOR Act state with regard to the rights of persons charged?
Everyone who is charged with an offence shall:
Be informed of the nature/cause of the charge.
Be released on reasonable conditions unless there is a just cause for detention.
Have the right to consult and instruct a lawyer.
Have the right to adequate time and facilities to prepare a defence.
Have the right to a trial by jury for 2+ year offences (except Military)
Have the right to legal aid.
Have the right to an interpreter.
What are the Chief Justice’s guidelines and where are they used?
They are the guidelines used by both Police when questioning and by judges when deciding if a Defendant’s statement was fairly obtained.
Who can Police question, with regard to guideline 1 of the Chief Justice’s practice note?
You can question anyone from whom useful information may be obtained, however you must not suggest that it is compulsory for that person to answer you - you cannot compel them or imply that they must answer them.
When should the caution/rights be given, with regard to guideline 2 of the Chief Justice’s practice note?
When you have sufficient evidence to charge or when you seek to question a person in custody.
What is “sufficient evidence to charge” with regard to guideline 2 of the Chief Justice’s practice note?
Evidence that which, objectively considered would be sufficient to form a prima facie case - would it justify taking the matter to court? Would an objective independent member of the public agree?
When is a person “in custody”?
When they have been arrested or detained, whether that arrest is lawful or arbitrary, arrest consisting of advising the person they are under arrest and formal touch/acknowledgement. Note: Police have a duty of care to those persons in their custody.
What is arbitrary arrest or detention?
Arrest or detention that is not lawful, or without lawful authority - if a person believes they are not free to leave, when they are not formally arrested or detained, then that detention is arbitrary - if they have not been arrested or detained then they must be informed that they are free to go.
What must be explained to the suspect about the reason for their interview?
The suspect must be fairly informed about both the reason for the interview and about the type of charge that they may face - this cannot be minimized.
How should you make sure a person understands their rights?
Using simple language, and breaking it down into small parts, checking that they understand each part.
When questioning a suspect, when should the caution/rights be repeated?
If it was given before arrest/detention, it must be given again upon arrest/detention. Should also be given again after any lengthy interview break, or when interviewing about an unrelated offence or if the circumstances of the offence change.
Does everything that the suspect says need to be recorded under caution/rights?
If it is not recorded, and Police seek to give evidence about it in court, it may be ruled inadmissible or be given very little evidential weight. If there is idle chat, the topics of this should be recorded, and that record be signed by the suspect.
Are there restrictions on interviewing someone?
Questioning of a person may not amount to cross-examination (i.e. be overbearing or unfair), and if it does then the interview may be excluded as evidence.
How is persistent questioning different from cross-examination?
A suspect may be challenged if their account is not consistent with the facts obtained, however this questioning must not be oppressive or overbearing. It is permissible to refuse to accept a suspects explanations or denials, particularly when they are inconsistent with the evidence.
How long can someone be interviewed for after an arrest, and what should you be mindful of when considering this?
You can interview someone at length as long as their rights are met and they are treated fairly and ethically. Be mindful of the requirement to bring them before a court ASAP.
Can you lock a person in an interview room?
Best practice states that noone gets locked in an interview room, especially if they have not been formally arrested or detained and therefore have a right to leave. If you do have to lock someone in under exceptional circumstances, it must be under their consent with every effort made to uphold their right to leave. Also consider what may happen to an interviewee left alone in an interview room.
How should a suspect be questioned about statements made by witnesses?
The content of those statements must be fairly explained - the substance must be told to the suspect in detail rather than generally. You must not misrepresent the truth, and this can be achieved by reading relevant excerpts to the suspect verbatim, or accurately summarising the statement.
How should a suspect interview be recorded?
Good practice is to video record all suspect interviews unless impractical or the suspect does not consent. If consent is not given, the next best method is to cover the camera and record audio only.
What is the definition of a suspect’s “statement”?
A statement can be a spoken or written assertion, or non-verbal conduct that is intended to be an assertion. It can include direct and deliberate oral or written statements, lies told by the Defendant, the Defendant’s response to statements made in their presence or private conversations the Defendant is involved in that are overheard. A Defendant’s statement is only admissible against that Defendant - not a co-defendant.
When would an interview be excluded because of unreliability or oppression?
Any pertinent physical/mental/psychological condition or characteristics of the defendant, the nature of the questions put to the defendant, or the nature of any promises/threats made to the defendant.
Can a defendant’s statement be offered simply as evidence of their condition, even if it would be otherwise inadmissible because of that condition?
Yes.
What are the possible outcomes of entering into an agreement with a Defendant?
The statement will most likely be ruled inadmissible in court because of the way the confession was obtained.
What is improperly obtained evidence and what happens to it?
Evidence that is obtained unfairly or in consequence of a breach of any enactment or rule of law (by a person to whom S3 BOR Act applies), or a statement by a Defendant that would be inadmissible if it were offered by the Prosecution.
Are “off the record” conversations with suspects admissible?
Any statement made by a suspect under the premise that it will not be used in court will likely be ruled inadmissible.
What is the definition of “admission” as per the Evidence Act?
A statement made by a person is or becomes party to the proceedings, and is adverse to that person’s interest in the outcome of the proceeding.
What is the definition of “hearsay statement” as per the Evidence Act?
A statement that was made by a person other than a witness, and is offered in evidence to prove the truth of it’s contents.
What is the definition of “leading question” as per the Evidence Act?
A question that directly or indirectly suggests a particular answer.
What is the definition of “statement” as per the Evidence Act?
A spoken or written assertion by a person of any matter, or non-verbal conduct by a person that is intended to be an assertion of any matter.
What is the definition of “witness” as per the Evidence Act?
A person who gives evidence and is ableto be cross-examined in a proceeding.
What does S27 of the Evidence Act state regarding Defendant’s statements offered by the prosection?
Prosecution evidence of a defendant’s statement is admissible against that defendant, but not against a co-defendant in that proceeding. However, statements may be ruled inadmissible under S28/29/30 (unreliability/oppression/improper).
What sort of statements does S28 of the Evidence Act apply to?
Defendant’s statements offered by the prosecution where that defendant raises on an evidential basis the issue of reliability, and informs both the judge and the prosecution of their grounds for raising the issue.
Defendant’s statements offered by the prosecution where the judge raises the issue of reliability, and informs the prosecution of their grounds for raising the issue.
What must the judge do with defendant’s statements that may be unreliable under S28 of the Evidence Act?
They must exclude the statement unless satisfied on the balance of probabilities that the circumstances in which the statement was made were unlikely to have affected it’s reliability, but only if that statement is only offered purely to demonstrate the condition of the Defendant at the time the statement was made, or to demonstrate that a statement was made at all.
What four points must a judge take into account when deciding whether a defendant’s statement is unreliable under S28 of the Evidence Act?
Any pertinent physical/mental/psychological condition of the defendant when the statement was made.
Any pertinent characteristics of the defendant including physical/mental/psychological disability.
The nature, manner, and circumstances of questions asked of the defendant.
The nature of any threat, promise or representation made to the defendant or any other person.
What sort of statements does S29 of the Evidence Act apply to?
Defendant’s statements offered by the prosecution where that defendant raises on an evidential basis the issue of whether the statement was influenced by oppression, and informs both the judge and the prosecution of their grounds for raising the issue.
Defendant’s statements offered by the prosecution where the judge raises the issue of whether the statement was influenced by oppression, and informs the prosecution of their grounds for raising the issue.
What must the judge do with defendant’s statements that may be influenced by oppression under S29 of the Evidence Act?
They must be excluded unless the judge is satisfied beyond reasonable doubt that the statement was not influenced by oppression.
Does it matter whether or not a statement is true under S29 of the Evidence Act (statements influenced by oppression)?
No.
What four points must a judge take into account when deciding whether to exclude a statement on the grounds that it may have been influenced by oppression?
Any pertinent physical/mental/psychological condition of the defendant when the statement was made.
Any pertinent characteristics of the defendant including physical/mental/psychological disability.
The nature, manner, and circumstances of questions asked of the defendant.
The nature of any threat, promise or representation made to the defendant or any other person.
What does “oppression” mean, with regard to S29 of the Evidence Act (statements influenced by oppression)?
Oppressive, violent, inhuman or degrading conduct towards, or treatment of, the defendant or another person - or threats of conduct or treatment of that kind.
What sort of evidence does S30 of the Evidence Act apply to?
Evidence against the defendant offered by the prosecution where that defendant raises on an evidential basis the issue of whether that evidence was improperly obtained, and informs both the judge and the prosecution of their grounds for raising the issue.
Evidence against the defendant offered by the prosecution where the judge raises the issue of whether the evidence was improperly obtained, and informs the prosecution of their grounds for raising the issue.
What must the judge do with evidence against a defendant that may have been improperly obtained S30 of the Evidence Act?
Find, on the balance of probabilities, whether or not the evidence was improperly obtained. If so, then determine whether the exclusion of the evidence would be proportionate to the impropriety but also takes into account the need for justice.
What 8 points must the court take into account when finding whether evidence was improperly obtained and deciding what to do with it with regard to S30 of the Evidence Act?
The importance of any right breached, and the seriousness of the intrusion, by the impropriety.
The nature of the impropriety (deliberate, reckless, done in bad faith)
The nature and quality of the improperly obtained evidence.
The seriousness of the offence.
Whether or not other legitimate investigatory techniques were available but not used.
Whether there are alternative remedies to excluding the evidence which can adequately provide redress to the defendant.
Whether the impropriety was necessary to avoid apprehended physical danger to the Police or others.
When must a judge exclude improperly obtained evidence, with regard to S30 of the Evidence Act?
When the judge determines that exclusion is proportionate to the impropriety with which the evidence was obtained.
What three ways can evidence “improperly obtained” with regard to S30 of the Evidence Act?
If it is obtained in consequence of a breach of enactment, or rule of law by someone to whom S3 of the BOR act applies (essentially, Police).
If it is obtained in consequence of a statement made by a defendant that would be inadmissible if offered by the prosecution.
Obtained unfairly (eg in the case of statements, one that has not met the guidelines of the Chief Justice’s practice note).
What are the two ways that can result in a witness giving evidence in an alternative manner, with regard to S103 of the Evidence Act?
Application of a party, made as early as practicable before the proceeding is to be heard (or later when permitted by the court), or on the Judge’s own initiative.
What are the 10 grounds under which a witness may be permitted to give evidence in an alternative manner, with regard to S103 of the Evidence Act?
Age or maturity of the witness.
Impairments of the witness.
Trauma suffered by the witness.
Witness’s fear of intimidation.
Cultural/linguistic/religious background of the witness.
Nature of the proceeding.
Nature of the witness’s evidence.
Relationship of the witness to any parties.
Absence from NZ.
Any other ground likely to promote the purpose of the Act.
What three things must a judge have regard to when deciding whether a witness may give evidence in an alternative manner, with regard to S103 of the Evidence Act.
The fairness of the proceeding, the views of the witness (minimizing stress and promoting recovery), and any other factor that is relevant.
What are the three manners in which a witness may give evidence in an alternative manner, with regard to S105 of the Evidence Act?
While in the courtroom but unable to see the defendant (or other specified person).
From an appropriate place outside the courtroom.
By video record made before the hearing.
What practical and technical means may be used by the judge/jury/lawyers to enable them to see and hear the witness giving evidence, with regard to S105 of the Evidence Act?
Any appropriate means.
During a criminal proceeding where a witness is giving evidence in an alternative manner, should the Defendant be able to see and hear the witness, with regard to S105 of the Evidence Act?
Yes, unless the judge directs otherwise, or if a witness anonymity order has been made, effect is given to that order.
What must a Judge do if a video record of a witness’s evidence is to be shown at the hearing, with regard to S105 of the Evidence Act?
They must give directions under S103 about the manner in which cross-examination and re-examination is to be conducted.
Is evidence given under S103 of the Evidence Act (in an alternative manner) admissible if all the terms of that section have not been strictly observed?
Yes - the judge may admit it.
What must be explained to a child or young person before questioning by an enforcement officer when there are RGTB they have committed an offence, under S215 of the CYPF Act?
That, if the circumstances are such, the officer has the grounds to arrest the CYP, and that they may be arrested if they fail to provide their name and address so that a summons can be issued.
That they are not obliged to accompany, and if they consent they may withdraw it.
They are under no obligation to make a statement, and if they consent they may withdraw it.
Statements may be used in evidence in Court proceedings.
That they are entitled to consult with and make a statement in the presence of a lawyer and nominated person.
What parts of S215 of the CYP act do not apply when the CYP is under arrest?
That they may be arrested if they fail to provide their name and address in order for an enforcement officer to issue a summons, and that they are not obliged to accompany and if they consent then they may withdraw it.
What does S215A of the CYPF Act state with regard to explanation of CYP rights?
If the CYP makes any enquiry with regard to their rights when being questioned regarding their involvement in the commission of an offence, the officer must explain their rights to them again.
What does S216 of the CYPF Act specify with regard to when to explain a CYP’s rights to them?
That they must be explained to a CYP when they are charged with an offence.
What does S217 of the CYPF Act specify with regard to when to explain a CYP’s rights to them?
That they must be explained to the CYP when they are arrested.
What does S218 of the CYPF Act specify with how a CYP’s rights should be explained to them?
Explanation of the CYP’s rights should be given in a manner and language appropriate to the age and level of understanding of the CYP.
What does S219 of the CYPF Act specify with regard to when NOT to explain a CYP’s rights to them?
If the CYP has had their rights explained to them within the hour before, nothing under S215, 215A, 216 or 217 requires them to be given again.
Under S220 of the CYPF Act, do sections 215 - 217 limit or affect other enactments that would require a CYP to supply information/particulars to an enforcement officer? (Eg. Land Transport Act)
No.
Under S221 of the CYPF Act, when would a statement made by a CYP arrested or detained not be admissible?
Before the statement was made, the enforcement officer has not explained the provisions of S215 in a manner and language appropriate to the age and level of understanding of the CYP.
When the CYP wants to consult with lawyer and NP before giving the statement, and they have not.
When the CYP does not give the statement in the presence of at least one of: lawyer, NP or another adult (as specified in S222).
Under S222 of the CYPF Act, who may be nominated as a NP by the CYP?
Parent/Guardian,
Adult family member,
Any other adult.
Under S222 of the CYPF Act, when a CYP fails or refuses to nominate an NP, who can an enforcement officer nominate?
Parent/Guardian,
Adult family member,
Any other adult.
Who can be refused to be a NP by an enforcement officer under S222 of the CYPF Act?
Any person who the enforcement officer has RGTB will attempt to pervert the course of justice, or cannot be located, or will not be available within a reasonable time period.
Under S222 of the CYPF Act, what are the duties of an NP?
To take reasonable steps to ensure the CYP understands their rights under S215, and to support the CYP.
What does S223 of the CYPF Act state with regard to spontaneous admissions by the CYP?
Nothing in S221 (regarding statement admissibility) applies when a CYP makes a spontaneous admission before an enforcement officer has had a reasonable opportunity to comply with the requirements of that section.
Under S224 of the CYPF Act, what is the standard of compliance with the conditions of S221 (admissibility of statements) that must be met in order for a CYP’s statement to be admissible?
Reasonable compliance.
Under S225 of the CYPF Act, does S221 (admissibility of statements) limit or affect any other enactment?
No.
Under S226 of the CYPF Act, is evidence of communications between the CYP and their lawyer and nominated person admissible in court?
No.
When must a CYP be informed of their entitlement to consult with a lawyer under S227 of the CYPF Act?
When taken in for questioning, as soon as practicable after they arrive at the enforcement agency office. When arrested, upon arrest they must be informed that they can consult their lawyer at the enforcement agency office.
What does S228 of the CYPF Act state regarding the CYP’s right to consult with a lawyer when they have been taken to hospital?
They are entitled to consult with a lawyer at that hospital.
What does S229 of the CYPF Act state with regard to informing the CYP’s parents/guardians of the CYP being at an enforcement agency office for questioning/under arrest?
As soon as practicable after arrival, the enforcement officer must inform parents/guardians/caregivers that the CYP has been brought in for questioning/has been arrested. They are entitled to visit the CYP, and if they choose to do so will have the provisions of S215 explained to them, and are entitled to consult privately with the CYP, but not in the absence of an enforcement officer guarding that CYP, or outside of conditions that are necessary to ensure CYP’s safety and prevent the commission of any offence.
Under S230 of the CYPF Act, is evidence of communication during a visit made to a CYP at an enforcement agency office by any person visiting under S229 admissible in court?
No, notwithstanding any other enactment or rule of law.
Under S231 of the CYPF Act, who may be nominated by the CYP as their parent/guardian to be informed of their presence at an enforcement agency office and of the ability to visit them there?
Parent or guardian,
Adult family member,
Any other adult selected by the CYP,
Any adult nominated by an enforcement officer, should the CYP fail or refuse to nominate any of the above.
Under S231 of the CYPF Act, when may an enforcement officer refuse to allow a person to visit the CYP in custody, when they would usually be a person allowed to do so?
If they have RGTB the person is likely to attempt to pervert the course of justice should they be allowed to visit the CYP.
Under S231 of the CYPF Act, what are the duties of a person that visits the CYP while they are at an enforcement agency office?
Take reasonable steps to ensure that they understand their rights, and to support the CYP.
In laymans terms, when do you have to read a CYP their caution/rights (not including arrest)?
If you have RGTS they have committed an offence, before asking questions intended to obtain admissions, before continuing an interview if your form RGTS they have committed an offence.
In laymans terms, how would you understand that a CYP understands their rights?
Explain them in a manner and language appropriate for their age and level of understanding - use simple language, and break it down into small parts, checking they understand each part by asking them to explain back to you in their own words what it means.
In laymans terms, what are your powers when a CYP with whom you have sufficient evidence to charge refuses to give you their particulars?
May arrest if the circumstances are such that you have the power to arrest, if, by refusing to give you their particulars, that CYP cannot be issued with a summons.