New Flashcards
In the Model Penal Code and Majority Jxs- how many parties are required for conspiracy
1 party
Can states enter agreements with each other without permission of fed government
Yes but if the agreement INCREASES the states’ political power then they need Congress’s consent
Can the feds prosecute you for an offense after a state has prosecuted you for the same offense?
Yes
What level of scrutiny for a state law that discriminates against NON-Citizens
strict scrutiny
If summons is served at your home, who can it be given to
It can be left with resident of suitable age and discretion- a 16 yo is fine
What level of scrutiny for a FEDERAL law that discriminates against non-citizens?
Rational basis
is social host liability for giving alcohol to someone visibly intoxicated recognized by common law?
NO- there is no social host liability in common law
Is a threat to damage or destroy property enough for “FEAR” for robbery
NO
If you have an IQ below 70 at the time of the offense, are you eligible for the death penalty
NO
if you are mentally incompetent at the time of execution, can you be given the death penalty
NO
IN the sentencing phase of a death penalty case, do you need to include ANY relevant , mitigating evidence
YES
Can you give life in prison without parole for a kid for a non-homicide case
YES but it can’t be automatic- need a hearing with mitigating circumstances
If the facts mention bombing, terrorism or poisoning leading to death, think…
1st degree murder- even if the intent was just to scare
what level of homicide requires a cool mind capable of reflection?
1st degree murder
2 key requirements of voluntary manslaughter
1) heat of passion and
2) acting with adequate provoation- provocation that would cause a reasonable person to lose control
felonies for felony murder must be done…
in furtherance of the felony. I.e burglary, arson, kidnapping, robbery
Can the prosecution appeal a jury’s acquittal
no
For a suit against a federal officer or federal employee (acting in their official capacity), where is venue appropriate?
where any D resides, or where P lives if no real property is involved, or where event occurred
Can police test a substance to determine if it is a drug without a warrant
YES
for jury instructions, what type are allowed if the presumption is RATIONAL
Permissive (MAY infer) instructions are allowed if the presumption is rational
iF the acquittal was due to a mistake of fact or law, an the D be retried?
NO
If police have arrested the D and put him in their police car, can they then search the vehicle- under search incident to arrest
NO
Can you strike jurors under Batson for bizarre or nonsensical reasons?
Yes, it just has to be non-discriminatory, it does not need to be plausible or reasonable reasons
Can someone suspected of DUI be made to give a breath sample? What about blood?
Breath yes-
Blood requires warrant
For the Crime of forgery, the document must have ___ significance
LEGAL significance
elements of larceny by false pretenses
1) made false representation of material fact
2) your false representations caused someone to pass title to you
3) you acted with knowledge of falsity
4) you acted with intent to defraud
A defendant acts knowingly if they…(in regard to a fact)
are aware of a high probability of a fact’s existence and deliberately avoid learning the truth
define recklessness
D consciously disregards an unreasonable and high risk of death
Can the Govt place the burden of an affirmative defense on the defendant
Yes
for false imprisonment- a person must be ___ of the confinement or ___ by it
Conscious of the confinement OR harmed by it
Can exacerbation of injury or illness count as PHYSICAL HARM?
Yes
when is a rescuer liable
If the rescuer negligently worsens a victim’s condition
what is the shelter rule
If you take from someone who was a BFV without notice an even if YOU HAVE NOTICE of easement, you are protected under shelter rule
Words indicating fee simple determinable
UNTIL
So long as
during
while
will courts consider expert reports in deciding summary judgement
No bc not signed under oath
for school officials to search a kid on school grounds, what do they need?
reaonable suspicion that the student violated the law.
For school officials to conduct a search AT THE DIRECTION OF POLICE, what do they need
A warrant based on probable cause or exception to warrant requirement
Do jailhouse confessions to fellow inmates implicate Miranda?
No
When has a person been seized
if in light of all circumstances, a reqonsable person would have believed he was not free to leave
Can police detain someone for a brief time and ask them questions
Yes, under Terry stop- with reasonable suspicion that the person was recently involved in criminal activity
two prongs to determine if a confession is voluntary
1) was there coercion
2) did it overcome the will of the suspect
Under Younger Abstention Doctrine, what should the Fed ct abstain from hearing cases about
Pending state court criminal matters
Does habit evidence need to be corroborated
no
Can wait evidence be proved with specific instances of conduct or opinion testimony
Yes
When can you admit evidence of a defendant’s truthfulness
Only if their truthfulness is questioned
Evidence of ACCEPTED PLEAS or statements made during negotiations that resulted in accepted please are _____ against defendant in civil or criminal court
ADMISSIBLE
Can an expert witness state an opinion without first stating the basis for that opinion
Yes
For pure comparative jurisdiction and joint and several liability, what is one defendant on the hook for?
EVERYTHING minus what the Plaintiff caused.
when can you impeach with a prior conviction
1) if the crime was a felony punishable by death or MORE than 1 year in prison
2)OR if the crime involved a dishonest act or false statement
When impeaching with a prior felony conviction or crime involving dishonest act or false statement, can you introduce a record of the conviction?
YES
Can you always impeach with a crime involving a dishonest act
YES always
if the conviction is greater than 10 years old, how is it admissible?
only if the probative value substantially outweighs the prejudicial effect
is the court taking judicial notice of a fact mandatory for the court?
YES
is taking judicial notice mandatory for the jury?
NO- the jury may or may not accept the fact as conclusive
In cross examination, can a party use specific instances to challenge truthfulness of a witness or someone’s testimony?
YES but they can NOT use EXTRINSIC EVIDENCE to prove something
Under federal law is there a doctor patient privilege
NO
Under most state laws’ doctor/patient privilege, who can assert the privilege?
The patient
Can you impeach a witness with reputation and opinion evidence about their character for truthfulness
YES
explain the diff between spousal testimonial privilege and marital communication privilege
Spousal testimonial- criminal cases only. 1 spouse can refuse to testify against other
Marital communication privilege- applies in CIVIL AND CRIMINAL CASES. either spouse can invoke to prevent other spouse from testifying about communication that occurred when married. Survives the marriage
are offers to pay medical expenses ever admissible
NO
in what circumstance are offers to compromise, ie paying off a victim, barred from admission
ONLY IF THEY ARE MADE in response to a lawsuit/pending lawsuit. I.e so if guy rapes woman and immediately says, I’ll give you $1000 to forget about it, that is admissible b/c she hasn’t filed suit.
How to start an evidence essay
Evidence is relevant if it makes any fact more or less probable than without it. Relevant evidence is admissible unless another rule makes it inadmissible.
A lay witness can offer an opinion only if
1) it is based on their perception of what happened
2) it helps determine a fact at issue
3) it is not based on scientific, technical or other specialized knowledge
Can the government challenge the sincerity or reasonableness of someone’s religious beliefs?
JUST the SINCERITY
Can the govt be compelled to disclose the identity of a confidential informant
No
can the govt be compelled to disclose the contents of a confidential informant’s communication?
YES
if you make an honest, reasonable mistake (i.e thinking a gun is an unloaded prop on a movie set), would that negate the mens rea for involuntary manslaughter/
yes
if the holder of a remainder interest on a property pays taxes or mortgage interest, are they entitled to reimbursement from the life tenant?
Yes
obligations of the life tenant in regards to a property
= pay property taxes and mortgage, make reasonable repairs, avoid waste
does a counterclaim have to meet the amount in controversy
NO
is a sex crime/felony generally admissible to impeach a witness
No - usually more prejudicial than probative.
When can you impeach with a prior felony that is over 10 yrs old
If the probative value substantially outweighs the danger of unfair prejudice
can you impeach with a misdemeanor involving perjury?
Yes, convictions involving false statements are always admissible
if you want to use evidence of the defendant’s previous sexual assaults, what must you do?
let the defendant know at least 15 days prior to trial that you are using the evidence
For hearsay essay questions, how to start
always start with 1) relevance then 2) hearsay definition and exception
when can a tenant remove trade fixtures
if removal will not harm the property and items are removed before or within reasonable time after lease ends
if you see a hearsay statement and the hearsay is a QUESTION
questions are NOT out of court STATEMENTS FOR HEARSAY
Can a license be created orally?
Yes
how do licenses terminate
revokable at any time= can be orally. Also terminate automatically at the death of either party or conveyance of servant estate
The mirror image rule that acceptance must exactly mirror the offer is only for what type of contracts
Service