Law Flashcards
More than a “mere hunch” speculation or guess. it is a strong suspicion based upon articulable facts or circumstances that a crime has been, is being or is about to be committed.
Reasonable Suspicion
The possession of information that would lead a person of ordinary care and prudence to believe or entertain an honest and strong presumption that a person has, is or is about to commit a crime.
Probable Cause
More Likely than not the evidence is true and/or the defendant is responsible.
Preponderance of the Evidence
The evidence is highly and substantively more likely to be true then untrue. It is a “high probability” a particular fact is true or untrue.
Clear and convincing
With the presumption of innocence, the burden of proof rests with the State to prove the defendant guilty. This burden of proof must be?
Beyond a reasonable doubt
The 3 types of encounters between law enforcement officers and citizens and the required burden of proof
- Voluntary/Consensual = No 4th Amendment
- Temporary Detention = Reasonable Suspicion
- Arrest (Custody) = Probable Cause
A person is seized within the meaning of the Fourth Amendment if the officer restrains the person’s liberty by one of the following means:
(1) a show of authority resulting in actual submission by the suspect;
(2) application of physical force to the suspect’s body;
(3) application of physical force to the suspect’s body with intent to restrain that person
6 factors indicating that a seizer has occurred:
- Use of emergency lights
- Use or display of weapons
- Physical touching by the officer
- Number of officers present
- Verbal commands and/or non-verbal messaging
- Blocking of exits or pathway
The ________________ must be brief and no longer than is reasonably necessary to effectuate the purpose of the stop.
Length of Detention
During an investigatory stop officers must use the least intrusive means reasonably available to confirm or dispel their suspicions in a short period of a time.
Scope of the Intrusion
A de facto arrest, which is not supported by Probable cause, is:
Unlawful
3 prongs for a Terry Stop and Frisk
- The officer has reasonable, articulable suspicion that the suspect has been, is, or is about to engage in criminal activity.
- the officer reasonably believes that the suspect is armed and presently dangerous;
- the officer has an immediate concern for the safety of himself or others.
8 Factors supporting armed and dangerous
- Bulges in suspect’s clothing resembling a weapon
- Encounter happens late at night
- Encounter happens in a high crime area
- Individual makes threatening or furtive movements
- Appearing nervous or agitated
- Appearing under the influence of alcohol/drugs
- Unwilling to cooperate and/or attempt to flee
- Reputation of being dangerous
Do Handcuffs mean a person is immediately under arrest?
No
When is Miranda warning required?
When a person is in custody/Arrested and being asked self-incriminating questions.
Is Miranda required while a person is placed under temporary detention?
No
What are the 4 warnings provided to citizens in reference to Miranda?
1) Right to remain silent.
2) Anything you say may be used against you in court
3) Right to an attorney
4) If you cannot afford an attorney, one will be appointed
The 3 rules to determine applicability of the 5th Amendment per Miranda.
1) Government actor
2) Custody
3) Interrogation
When a person is formally arrested OR had their freedom restrained to a degree associated with a formal arrest; and personally be aware of their lack of freedom or reasonably believe it exists.
Custody
No waiver can be valid unless the suspect first ______________ the Miranda advisements.
Understands
In order to be valid, a suspect’s Miranda waiver must be:
- Voluntary (not coerced)
- Knowing (understood)
- Intelligent
When can a citizen invoke the right to remain silent.
At any time.
The suspect’s invocation of Miranda rights must be:
Unambiguous (clear) and Unequivocal (obvious)
Evidence obtained in violation of the Fourth Amendment’s protection against unreasonable search and seizure could not be used against a person in federal court.
Exclusionary Rule
Weeks v. U.S.
Evidence is also excluded from trial if it was gained through evidence uncovered in an illegal arrest, unreasonable search, or coercive interrogation.
Fruit of the poisonous tree
Silverthorne Lumber Co.
U.S. Supreme Court ruled the exclusionary rule, applies not only to the federal government, but also to the states.
Mapp v. Ohio
Silver Platter Doctrine
When police officers arrest a person at home, they cannot search the entire home without a warrant, but they may search the area within the immediate reach of the person.
Chimel v. California
search incident to a lawful arrest
3 exceptions to the Fruit of the Poisonous Tree Doctrine:
(1) There was an independent source for the evidence,
(2) The discovery of the evidence was inevitable.
(3) The police executed the search/seizure with a good faith
4 questions to determine applicability of the 4th Amendment
1) Is there a reasonable expectation of privacy?
2) Is there a search?
3) Is there a seizure?
4) Is it the government?
An officer may conduct a warrantless search of an automobile when:
- The officer has Probable Cause to believe that the automobile contains contraband or evidence of a crime,
- The automobile is Readily mobile.
The consenting party must have what authority over the property to be searched?
Actual & Apparent
Is an officer required to advise an individual of his right to refuse consent?
No
Consent may be manifested by:
Words, Gestures, or Conduct
Consent to search must be given _________ & _________ and the consenting party must have proper AUTHORITY over the area to be searched.
freely & voluntary
The stop and detention of a suspect is justified if the officer has
Reasonable Suspicion
An arrest is taking a person into custody in a case and in the manner authorized by law.
I.C. 19-601
Definition of Arrest