Laws of Evidence Flashcards
A. What is the Burdon of Proof?
B. Where does it lie?
A. The presumption of innocence (Woolmingtons principle)
B. “Burdon of Proof lies with the prosecution”
What is the “Evidential Burden” on the defence?
Defence obligation to prove an explanation without which the prosecution has proved its case. “the obligation to raise an issue at trial”
Are there exceptions to Woolmingtons principal?
Yes. Insanity, suicide pacts, Identification evidence S45(1), Maritime and Aviation safety are examples of the reverse burden of proof.
What is the “Standard of Proof”?
The standard required to discharge:
Prosecution - Beyond reasonable doubt
Defence “Balance of Probabilities.
Describe “beyond reasonable doubt”.
“A very high standard of proof” met if the jury is sure the defendant is guilty.
What is the balance of probabilities
“That it was more probable than not”.
Is one persons testimony unsupported by other evidence sufficient to prove a case?
Exceptions (2)
Yes. There are exceptions: Perjury and Treason.
What is the definition of Identification Evidence as it pertains to S45 Evidence act? (4)
1: Saw or heard
2: Person alleged to have committed offence
3: At or near place
4: Commission of offence (or written or oral account of above).
s 45(2) Is an informal identification process admissible?
only if there is a GOOD REASON (s45(4)) for not following a formal procedure. Otherwise if no good reason Prosecution must prove beyond reasonable doubt circumstances in which it was made produced reliable identification.
How many images in a formal ID?
8
s 45(4) What Good Reasons are there for NOT following formal ID? (6)
B. What is the admissibility of identification evidence if a Good reason is obtained?
- Suspect refuses and no photo available
- Singular appearance
- Substantial changes in appearance (since offence)
- ID was not (reasonably expected to be) in question
- ID made shortly after offence (ie to Police during initial investigation)
- Identification by chance
B. If prosecution can find good reason then evidence admissible under 45(1). Otherwise needs to prove beyond reasonable doubt that the ID evidence is reliable.
Who can conduct an ID procedure?
“Officers of an enforcement agency” (Customs, MPI…)
Sgt or above. O/C case can be present but not take part in proceedings
Who can be the subject/target of identification evidence pursuant to s45?
Only to a person alleged to have committed an offence.
What is the purpose of S45 (what is it intended to prevent)?
To prevent dock identification as the first time identified. (Unreliable).
What constitutes a formal ID procedure (8)
- ASAP after offence
- Eight people, Similar appearance
- Police staff not to be used
- No coaching witness. Witness not to see suspect before placed into parade
- Written record of procedure followed sworn for Judge/Defendant (not jury) by officer conducting
- Copy of pictorial record certified for Judge/Defendant (not jury)
- Different participants for different parades
- Suspect MUST be advised: Not compulsory;
can have lawyer present.
S45(1) A.If a formal ID procedure is followed how can defence challenge it’s admissibility
B. What can they challenge? (2)
A. Prove on Balance of Probability it was not reliable (reverse burden of proof).
B. Can challenge both way ID was undertaken and reliability of the witness
S45(2) how will identification evidence be admissible if no formal procedure or Good Reason established.
Prosecution must prove beyond reasonable doubt that the circumstances in which ID was made produced reliable identification
Re section 4 & 46 Evidence Act. What are the 2 main differences between admissibility of voice identification evidence and visual ID evidence?
- Voice allows the identification of ANY OTHER PERSON CONNECTED with an act relating to evidence of an offence (s4).
- Prosecution only need to prove on balance of probabilities that the circumstances in which the voice identification was made produced reliable identification (s46)
Is a statement made by a defendant admissible against a co-defendant?
No.
What three rules may exclude defendants statements or evidence?
Reliability Rule (S28) Oppression rule (S29) Improperly obtained Evidence Rule (S30)
A. s (28) What constitutes unreliable (4)
B. When would judge exclude unreliable statement.
C. When is unreliable statement routinely included (2)
A. i) physical, mental psychological condition of defendant when made
ii) mental, physical intellectual disability defendant is subject to.
iii) nature of questions and manner/circumstances in which they are put to defendant.
iv) nature of threat, promise or representation made to defendant or any other person.
B. must exclude unless judge satisfied on Balance of Probability that circumstances in which it was made would not likely affect its reliability
C. i) prosecution wish to prove physical, mental or psychological condition of defendant at time it was made
ii) prosecution to only offer it as evidence of whether the statement was made
s 29. When is a statement excluded pursuant to the oppression rule?
If on evidential grounds the judge or defence raises it - the statement must be excluded unless Judge satisfied BEYOND A REASONABLE DOUBT the statement not influenced by oppression.
What is oppression? (3)
- Oppressive, violent, inhuman, degrading conduct or treatment
- towards defendant or another person.
- Threats of the same.
What is “improperly obtained evidence” s30 (3)
- In breach of any enactment or rule by person to whom S3 Bill of Rights Act applies (s3 - performance of functions of public function)
- Evidence obtained as a consequence of a statement that would be inadmissible.
- Obtained unfairly - as determined by Judge.
