Pre trial proceedings Flashcards
When must an objection/ motion to dismiss on grounds that information or indictment failed to state essential claims be made?
It must be made at the arraignment or it is considered waived
When must demand for speedy trial be made?
within 60 days AFTER formal charges have been filed.
when must a defendant be brought to trial upon making a written demand for speedy trial?
within 50 days of date of filing
When must a defendant be brought to trial when charged with misdemeanor/ ordinance violation?
within 90 days of arrest
When must a defendant be brought to trial if charged with a felony/ capital case?
within 175 days of arrest
If state fails to bring a defendant to trial within 50 days after filing a demand for speedy trial….
the defendant is entitled to file a notice of expiration (NTE) of speedy trial in time; a hearing must be held within 5 days of NTE, and absent excusable delay defendant must be brought to trial within 10 days of NTE or he is discharged forever
What is the general rule for pretrial release?
Generally, all persons are entitled to pretrial release UNLESS: (1) charged w/ a capital offense or felony for life; AND (2) proof of guilt is evident or presumption of guilt is great
Forms of pretrial release:
(1) release on recognizance (ROR); (2) cash or surety bonds; (3) restraints on travel, work, association (house arrest); (4) placing defendant in custody of a designated person; (5) any condition deemed necessary to assure the defendant will appear again
When does the first appearance happen?
within 24 hours of arrest if accused is taken into custody
What happens at the first appearance?
Provides the accused with CARP (Counsel appointed; Advice regarding charges against the accused; Release conditions; and Probable cause determination IF paperwork is ready)
When does the probable cause determination take place if it cannot be done at the first appearance
within 48 hours after arrest if accused is in custody (with two addition 24 hour extensions if state can show good cause)
When may probable cause determination for an accused not in custody take place?
Accused may file for nonadversary probable cause determination within 21 days of arrest if the accused was released with significant restrains on liberty; PC determination must be held within 7 days of filing the motion
When is an accused NOT entitled to a nonadversary PC determination?
If arrested pursuant to a valid arrest warrant.
Who is entitled to an adversary probable cause determination?
(1) defendants accused of felony; (2) who have been in custody for 21 days; and (3) no formal charges have been filed.
If probable cause is not found OR time period is not complied with
defendant is released, BUT release does not bar prosecution
What are the consequences of an adversary PC determination?
(1) if formal charges are not filed + no probable cause= defendant is released; (2) if formal charges are filed + no probable cause= defendant is ROR; or (3) probable cause is found= defendant has to answer to charges
If defendant is in custody and is not charged within 30 days of arrest…
defendant must be released by the 33rd day OR by the 40th day if the state shows good cause as to why charges haven’t been filed
Indictment:
(1) returned by grand jury; (2) can be used to file charges for any crime; (3) must be used to file charges in capital cases
Information
(1) filed by state attorney/ office; (2) can be used to file charges in any noncapital cases (including misdemeanors in county court)
If a defendant makes a demand for speedy trial…
it is deemed that defendant is ready to be brought to trial within five days and has made a reasonable investigation in the case
When felony and misdemeanor charges are joined…
felony speedy trial time limit applies (175 days)
Motion for change of venue…
(1) must be made at least 10 days before trial (unless there is good cause for delay); and (2) be accompanied by certificate of good faith signed by moving counsel; and (3) paired with affidavit of at least 2 persons setting out factual basis for the motion
When must a motion to disqualify a judge be made?
no later than 10 days after discovering the facts giving rise to the grounds of disqualification
What are grounds for a motion to disqualify a judge?
(1) judge related to a party by third degree; (2) related to an attorney by the third degree; (3) judge is a material witness; or (4) judge is prejudiced for or against a party
How may an accused be compelled to appear in proceedings?
(1) capias; (2) notice to appear; (3) summons and arrest warrant
When is a notice to appear (NTA) not issued?:
(1) accused fails to sign NTA; (2) accused doesn’t identify themselves; (3) officer reasonable believes accused presents unreasonable risk of harm to himself/ others; (4) accused is a flight risk; (5) officer suspects accused may be wanted for another crime; OR (6) accused has previously violated a notice or summons in the past
Scope of right to counsel
state must offer to provide counsel for indigent/ partially indigent persons if crime is punishable by incarceration, juvenile offenses, and for one direct appeal of a criminal conviction
How can the state avoid providing counsel?
(1) no felony; (2) judge says at least 15 days in advance defendant won’t be incarcerated
What factors does the court consider to determine if defendant validly waived counsel?
(1) complexity of the case; (2) defendant’s mental condition; (3) age; (4) education; (5) defendant’s prior court experience
when can a judge issue capias?
defendant failed to appear’ or formal charges filed by info or indictment and defendant isn’t in custody or on bail
generally, when is an NTA issued instead of physical arrest?
Misdemeanors; and county/ municipal ordinance violations
Pretrial detention orders….
are appealable
Pretrial detention procedures:
State files Motion stating grounds and facts on which motion is based; if defendant is not in custody and there are exigent circumstances an arrest warrant is issued; a hearing must be held within 5 days of the motion OR of defendant’s arrest pursuant to the motion; continuances of up to 5 days are available.
Properly joined offenses may be severed by either party if:
before trial it can be shown severance is appropriate to promote fair determination of defendant’s guilt; OR during trial defendant consents and severance is necessary to achieve a fair determination of defendant’s guilt
When computing time for 7 days or more
weekends and holidays are included, but if the period ends on a weekend or holiday, the period ends at the end of the next business day
A court may not expand the time period for what motions?
Motion for new trial; taking appeal; or motion for judgment of acquittal
A motion for arrest of judgment:
- Must be filed within 10 days after D is found guilty
- similar to a motion to dismiss
- grounds are fatal defects in charging instrument; lack of jurisdiction; and conviction by the jury of an offense not on the charging instrument
Release pending appeal may not be granted if:
(1) anyone who has previously been convicted of prior felony; and (2) has not had their civil rights restored; or (3) has other felony charges pending where there is probable cause
A party may move to perpetuate testimony
to secure testimony of a material witness who doesn’t live within the courts jurisdiction or who may be unable to attend trial
What must be included in an application to perpetuate testimony?
It must be verified by the affidavits of 5 persons
A proper motion to perpetuate testimony,,,
must be granted if filed 10 days before trial and will allow the deposition to be read into evidence if the witness doesn’t appear at trial
A defendant cannot depose:
(1) a person the prosecutor doesn’t in good faith intent to call as a witness; (2) a person whose involvement in the case is fully set out in a police report/ statement given to the defendant; or (3) a person who only perfumed a ministerial function in the case
When can the prosecution move to revoke pretrial release/ modify bail?
(1) show of good cause; and (2) prosecution gives defense at least 3 hours notice
When does a court order pretrial detention?
when defendant threatens/injures/intimidates victim/potential witnesses/jurors or has attempted to do so with the intent to obstruct the judicial process and no condition of release could prevent the obstruction
Can the judge enter a sentence that departs downward from the lowest permissible sentence?
yes, if circumstances reasonably justify the mitigation (i.e. defendant was a minor participant in the crime or acting under extreme duress)
facts supporting mitigation must be by a preponderance of the evidence
Who opens closing arguments?
The prosecution; defendant may reply and if defense replies, prosecution may rebut
During a hearing on pretrial detention:
(1) D is entitled to counsel, to present witnesses, and cross-examine; (2) hearing must be held within 5 days of filing the motion; (3) rules of evidence do not apply to the hearing but the final order cannot solely be based on hearsay; and (4) defendant isn’t required to testify but if he does the testimony cannot be used as substantive evidence against him
What are misdemeanors?
generally offenses punishable by incarceration in a county correctional facility, punishable for less than a year BUT violations of county or municipal ordinances ARE NOT considered misdemeanors
Who has jurisdiction over violations of municipal ordinances?
county court
when can a judge modify/ set a condition of release?
if she imposed the conditions/ amount of bond; is the chief judge of the circuit where trial is held; she is assigned to try the case; or she is the first appearance judge and received authorization from the judge initially setting bail
When does a court hold a hearing on a motion for pretrial detention?
after the court determines the motion is facially sufficient