SAU Investigation Flashcards
Can sexual assault conviction be based on victims testimony alone
Yes
After telling offices on scene that everything was OK, a female got into the ambulance and told an EMT that she was raped. This is an example of
Excited utterance
After being raped, a female victim sent a message through Facebook to a friend. These texts were an excited utterance. The court noted that texting reflects:
How people her age communicate
The first complaint rule allows one witness to testify about what the victim said concerning _____ sexual assault
Any
What does the first complaint doctrine provide the jury?
A complete account of how the accusation of sexual assault arose
What is the time limitation for a first complaint witness?
No requirement of promptness, even a nine year delay
A first complaint witness may testify about the ____________ of the disclosure
Details and context
What type of communication between the victim and another qualifies for first complaint witness (3)
Written, texted, and oral statements
Disclosures of sexual abuse can be made in stages to first complaint witness if:
No meaningful gap in time
If a victim discloses to her mother in eighth grade about her father touching her, and then later discloses to a college advisor about further abuse by her father, can both witnesses testify?
Yes
Can there be multiple first complaint witnesses if there’s multiple crimes
Yes
If a defendant doesn’t remember telling someone about sexual abuse, can that person still testify as first complaint?
Yes
Can a defendant/suspect have a first complaint witness as well
Yes
Does asking a victim who else she told violate the first complaint rule
Yes
Who has the discretion to modify the first complaint rule in the interest of justice?
Trial judge
If the first complaint witness is bias and becomes hostile towards the victim, can the victim substitute with a different first complaint?
Yes
Another witness can be used if the first complaint witness is _______ or _______
Unavailable or incompetent
The first person to receive a report, whether by ______or _______is the first complaint
Phone or in person
If a victim tells the 911 dispatcher about a sexual assault, then tells the first responding officer about it, who testifies as the first complaint
The 911 dispatcher
Dispatchers and officers should perform a _______ and ______interview
Basic and compassionate
After a dispatcher or officer performs a basic interview, they should:
Turn the case over to investigators