unit three test review Flashcards
arrest
person suspected of a crime is taken into custody
arrest warrant
court order commanding that the person named in it be taken into custody
probable cause
having a reasonable belief that a specific person has committed a crime
drug courier profile
helps to establish probable cause for arrest, commonly held notions concerning typical age, race, appearance, etc of drug couriers
reasonable suspicion
based on even less suspicion than probable cause for arrest, but more than a hunch.
exclusionary rule
evidence seized in an unlawful search cannot be used in trial. (exceptions: inevitability-evidence would eventually be obtained legally, good faith-police officer acted in good faith when obtaining the evidence)
search warrant
court order, obtained from a judge who believes there is a bona fide (genuine) need to search person/ place
affadavit
sworn statement of facts/circumstances that provide the probable cause to believe that a search is justified
interrogate
standard police procedure to question the arrested. usually results in admissions of guilt
self incrimination
suspect has a right to remain silent, cannot be forced to testify against themselves at trial
custodial interrogation
person is in custody, not free to leave, and is being questioned by police
booking
formal process of making a police record of the arrest. accused is asked to provide name, address, DOB, place of employment, and any previous arrest details
arraignment
reading of a criminal charging document in the presence of the defendant, to inform of all charges against them
bail/pretrial release
judge will consider how likely the person is to show up for trial and if person is a danger. you put up by money/property.
personal recognizance
the defendant must promise to return and must be considered a low risk of failing to show up for trial
information (prosecutor’s information)
details the nature/circumstances of the charge
preliminary hearing
screening process used in felony cases to determine if there is enough evidence to require the defendant to stand at trial
grand jury
16-23 people who must determine whether there is sufficient cause to believe a person has committed a crime and should stand trial
indictment
formal charge of criminal action
nolo contendere
plea where the defendant does not admit guilt but does not contest the charges equivalent to pleading guilty. cannot be used as evidence against them in later civil cases
due process
fair procedures
voir dire
lawyers select certain jurors to hear a case
for cause challenge
potential juror can be removed for a specific reason
peremptory challenge
do not have to based on a specific reason
subpoena
a court order requiring a witness to appear in court to testify
contempt of court
a judge has the power to remove the defendant from the courtroom, or in extreme cases, have the defendant bound and gagged
immunity
a witness cannot be prosecuted based on information provided in testimony
double jeoprady
a defendant cannot be prosecuted a second time for the same offense after acquittal/conviction
mistrial
ask the judge to set aside the jury’s verdict and declare this. seldom successful
petitioner (or appellant)
must convince the appeals court that there were serious errors of law made at the original trial
writ of habeas corpus
means “to produce the body” claims that the defendant is being held illegally and requests release
pre-sentence report
all the information about the case and person on trial, given to judge by prosecution
parole
release from prison before the full sentence has been served, granted at the discretion of the parole board
aggravating circumstances
factors that might increase the seriousness of an offense, crime was cruel, induced others, etc.
mitigating circumstances
factors that may lessen the seriousness of an offense, clean criminal record, aided police in capture of others involved in crime, etc.
suspended sentence
sentence is given but doesn’t have to be served at the time imposed