Searches and Seizures Flashcards
exclusionary Rule
Is it constitutionally mandated?
excludes any evidence found and not admit at trial.
seized evidence and usage of that evidence are both independently a violations of fourth amendment
The Fourth Amendment Right
what are the two elements?
•The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures
- Government Action
- search or seizure
Silver platter doctrine
Reverse silver platter doctrine
: Feds could use evidence illegally seized by state agents
Feds could give illegally seized evidence, inadmissible in Federal court, to states for use in state court
who does government action apply to?
only government actors, does not restrict private citizens unless acting on behalf of law enforcement
what is a search?
Police or gov’t action that invades a reasonable expectation of privacy
What is the two part test to determine reasonable expectation of privacy?
o 1. Did Defendant manifest a subjectively held expectation privacy?
o 2. Is it an expectation of privacy that society views as reasonable or justifiable?
Open Field v Curtilage
Is the difference between how much of yard gets 4th amendment protection
Test:
- How close to home?
- Within an enclosure surrounding the home?
- Nature of use?
- Steps taken to protect area from observation by passers-by?
Privacy in Public Areas Rationale
you have essentially allowed the police to see what you left available for the public to see
Reasonable officer subject or objective test under 4th amen.?
4th amendment when it comes to the police is objective not subjective so officer intent does not matter must be reasonable
4th amendment property interest elements
- Property invasion
- Information seeking
Property Interest: Focusing on whether there is license for a particular area and purpose when getting on someone’s front porch
Are bugged agents a 4th amendment violation?
Court found that a bugged agent produces more accurate information than the agent testifying on the stand, which is not a violation. No constitutional right is violated because the person willingly gave this information to a 3rd party(and trusted them to do with information as they please; which could include going to the police)
Reasonable expectation of privacy in trash?
No reasonable expectation of privacy for trash left on the curb for anyone or even an animal to rummage through and you have shared it with a 3rd party(garbage collector) who is free to share with someone else.
Is thermal imaging a home a property invasion?
Everything that is in the home is by definition intimate
Thus technology that reveals the content of home, where you typically would only know that by physical invasion it constitutes a search
Is GPS tracking a search?
Property invasion plus information seeking, the car is considered an effect
What is the seizure of a person test?
whether a reasonable person would feel free to decline the officers’ requests or otherwise terminate the encounter.
Do officers have to tell those they encounter that they have right to refuse consent?
Don’t have to tell someone that you have a right to refuse consent
mere encounter v seizure
Show of force or submission to authority is what makes something a seizure
What is the starting point for searches or seizures
Probable Cause & a Warrant
warrant requirements
must be based on probable cause and must particularly describe the place to be searched
- The police can only go into the particular premises that they have secured probable cause to enter
- Protects privacy interests
- Protects property interests
Can justice of peace issue a warrant?
Justice of the Peace cannot issue an evidentiary warrant, only a warrant for specific items.
Knock & Announce warrant required unless..
futile or dangerous
o Supported by reasonable suspicion(lesser standard)