AMERICAN CRIMINAL PROCEDURE• Must be analyzed under the 4th, 5th, 6th and 14th Amendments. • 4th...

AMERICANCRIMINALPROCEDURE

ProfessorDelaineR.Swenson

USCONSTITUTION

•  AmendmentIV:SearchesandWarrants

•  AmendmentV:GrandJuries;DoubleJeopardy;SelfIncrimination;DueProcessofLaw.

•  AmendmentVI:PublicTrial;Juries;RighttoNotice;RightofConfrontation;RighttoCounsel

•  AmendmentVIII:Bail,CruelandUnusualPunishments

•  AmendmentXIV:ApplicationofBillofRightstotheStates.

HowaCriminalCaseProceeds

•  CriminalIncident•  PoliceInvestigation•  ProsecutorInvolvement•  CriminalCharges:InformationorInditement•  Arrest•  FirstAppearance:NoticeofCharges;RightsRead;CounselAppointed

•  Arraignment:PleaEntered

HowaCriminalCaseProceeds2•  DiscoveryProcess•  PleaBargaining•  Pre-TrialHearing•  Trial:

-JurySelection-OpeningStatements-State’sCase-DefenseCase-ClosingArgument-JuryInstructions-Verdict

HowaCriminalCaseProceeds3

•  Sentencing•  AppellateProcess•  Punishment

NoRightwithoutaRemedy

•  Punishthegovernmentofficial–policeorprosecutor.

•  Allowforprivatelawsuits.•  ButwhatdowedowithanyevidencethatisgainedinviolationoftheConstitution?

EXCLUSIONARYRULE

•  AJudgemadedoctrinedesignedtobearemedyforconstitutionalrightsviolationsincriminalcases.

•  EvidenceobtainedinviolationoftheUnitedStatesConstitutioncannotbeusedasevidenceincourtagainstthedefendant.

•  Rational:(1)DeterPolice/ProsecutorMisconduct;(2)CourtSystemdoesnotbecomepartofConstitutionalViolation;(3)Onlyeffectiveremedy.

FRUITOFTHEPOISONOUSTREEDOCTRINE

•  Notonlydoweexcludeallillegallyobtainedevidence,butallevidenceobtainedorderivedfromthatevidence.

•  Exceptions:(1)IndependentSource;(2)InevitableDiscovery.

LIMITATIONSONTHEEXCLUSIONAYRULE

•  RequiresGovernmentalConductorprivateindividualsactingatthedirectionofthegovernment.

•  DefendantmusthaveaReasonableExpectationofPrivacy–thingsheldouttothepublicnoexpectationofprivacy.

•  Defendantmusthave“standing”:(i)personownedorhadarighttopossessionoftheplacesearched;(ii)placewasinfacthome;or(iii)alegitimateguestoftheowner.

CONCEPTOFSTANDING

•  DoestheDefendanthave“standing”tobringaclaimorargumenttothecourt.

•  Wasthedefendant“standing”intheshoesofapersonwhowasharmedbygovernmentalaction?

•  Nostanding,thennocourtauthorityovertheissueortheperson.

•  Rakasv.Illinois

4thAMENDMENT

Therightofthepeopletobesecureintheirpersons,houses,papers,andeffects,againstunreasonablesearchesandseizures,shallnotbeviolated,andnoWarrantsshallissue,butuponprobablecause,supportedbyOathoraffirmation,andparticularlydescribingtheplacetobesearched,andthepersonsorthingstobeseized

4THAMENDMENTSEARCHES

•  GeneralApproach:(1)DidDefendanthavea4thAmendmentRight?

-  Wastheregovernmentalconduct?-  Didthedefendanthaveareasonableexpectationofprivacy?

(2)DidthePolicehaveavalidwarrant?(3)Ifnowarrant,thendidthePoliceuseavalidexceptiontothewarrantrequirement?

WARRANTS

•  Awrittenlegalorderofthecourttosearchorseize.

•  Required:Awarrantmustbe(a)issuedbyaneutralanddetachedmagistrate,(b)bebasedonprobablecauseestablishedfromfactssubmittedtothemagistratebyagovernmentagentunderoath,(c)mustparticularlydescribetheplacetobesearchedandtheitemstobeseized.

ExceptionstotheWarrantRequirement

•  SEARCHINCIDENTTOALAWFULARREST– Arrestmustbelawful,mustbecontemporaneousintimeandplacewiththearrest.

– CHIMELv.CALIFORNIA•  AUTOMOBILEEXCEPTION:Policemusthaveprobablecause.Scopeofsearchdependsonprobablecause.Probablecauseofcontainerappliesonlytocontainer.–  ILLINOISv.CABALLES

ExceptionstotheWarrantRequirement

•  PLAINVIEWEXCEPTION– Policemustbelegitimatelyonthepremises;discoverevidence,fruitsorinstrumentalitiesofacrime,whichisinplainview,andhaveprobablecause.

•  CONSENT:Policemusthaveavoluntaryandintelligentconsenttosearch.Limitedtoconsentgiven.Personmusthaveauthoritytoconsent.– SCHNECKLOTHv. BUSTAMONTE

ExceptionstotheWarrantRequirement

•  STOPANDFRISKEXCEPTION– Policemaystopapersonwithoutprobablecauseifhehasanarticulableandreasonablesuspicionofcriminalactivity.ProtectiveFriskisallowediftheybelievepersonmaybearmed.

– Scope:“patdown”allowed,furtherdependingonwhatisfound.

– TERRYV.OHIO

ExceptionstotheWarrantRequirement

•  HOTPURSUIT,EVANESCENTEVIDIENCE,EMERGENCIES– HotPursuitofafleeingfelon.– EvanescentEvidence:Evidencethatmaydisappearbeforeawarrantcanbeattained.

– Emergencies:contaminatedfoodordrugs,childrenintrouble,burningfires,medicalemergencies.

– BRIGHAMCITY,UTAHv.STUARTEETAL.

CONFESSIONS

•  Importance:falseconfessions.•  Mustbeanalyzedunderthe4th,5th,6thand14thAmendments.

•  4thAmendment:SearchandSeizure

•  5thAmendment:ProtectionAgainstTestimonialSelfIncrimination

•  6thAmendment:RighttoCounsel•  14thAmendment:DueProcessProtectionagainstInvoluntaryConfessions

Confessions-4thAmendment

•  SearchandSeizure:Arrestisaseizureoftheperson.

•  Wasarrestlegal?– ProbablyCause?– ValidArrestWarrant

•  IfArrestwasillegal,thenaconfessionasaresultofthatillegalarrestisfruitofthepoisonoustree.

Confessions–14thAmendment

•  DueProcessClause–14thAmendmentHistory

•  DueProcessrequiresthatanyconfessionbevoluntary.

•  Test:LookattheTOTALITYOFTHECIRCUMSTANCEStodeterminevoluntariness.

•  Factors:Suspect’sage,education,mentalandphysicalconditionalongwiththesetting,durationandmannerofpoliceinterrogation.

•  PhysicalBeatingNotAllowed.•  Confessionmaystillbechallengedasunreliable.

Confessions–5thAmendment

•  “Nopersonshallbecompelledtobeawitnessagainsthimself..”Cannotbeimpelledtogiveselfincriminatingevidence.

•  MIRANDAv.ARIZONA:– CreatedtheMirandaWarning:(1)Righttoremainsilent;(2)AnythingyousaycanbeusedagainstyouinCourt;(3)RighttoanAttorney;(4)ifyoucannotaffordanattorney,onewillbeappointedatnoexpensetoyou.

Confessions–5thAmendment

•  MirandaWarningneednotbeverbatim,butmustbesubstantiallythesame.

•  Re-warningrequiredaftersubstantialbreak.

•  Waiver:knowing,voluntaryandintelligent.Nopresumptionfromsilence.

•  Whenrequired:– GovernmentalConduct– MustbeinCustody– MustbeInterrogation:wordsoractionsreasonablylikelytoleadtoanincriminatingstatement.

RighttoCounsel

•  5thAmendmentRight:righttocounselincustodialPoliceinterrogations(Mirandav.Arizona)

•  6thAmendmentRight:

“andtohavetheassistanceofcounselforhisdefense.”

RighttoCounsel

•  6thAmendmentRightappliestoall“criticalstages”ofthetrial.

•  CriticalStages:CustodialPoliceInterrogation;Post-Inditementinterrogation;preliminaryhearingstodetermineprobablecause;arraignments;post-chargelineups;guiltypleas;sentencing;trials,appealsasamatterofright.

RighttoCounsel

•  6thAmendmentRightappliestoall“criticalstages”ofthetrial.

•  NON-Criticalstages:bloodsampling,handwritingorvoicesamples;pre-chargelineups,photoidentification,preliminaryhearingsondetention,discretionaryappeals,paroleandprobationrevocation

Pre-TrialDetention

•  Firstmusthaveprobablecausetodetain.•  PresumptionofInnocence–presumesthattheinnocentpersonwillnotbeheldinjailuntilfoundguilty.

•  Reasonsforpre-trialdetention:likelihoodofappearanceattrial;dangertocommunity.

•  Factors:tiestothecommunity;criminalhistory;natureofthecrime,etc

SpeedyTrial

•  6thAmendmentRighttoSpeedyTrial•  StatutoryRightunderStateLaw:smalllimits–60/90daysfromarraignment.

•  Constitutionaltest:looktothetotalityofthecircumstances.Factors:(1)lengthofthedelay;(2)thereasonforthedelay;(3)whetherthedefendantassertedhisrightand(4)prejudicetothedefendant.

•  Remedy:dismissalofcharges.

SpeedyTrial

•  Rightattacheswhenthedefendanthasbeenarrestedorcharged.Pre-arrestinvestigationdoesnotcount.

•  Waiver:maybeaknowingandvoluntarywaiverofyourrighttospeedytrial(quitecommon).

•  Multiplejurisdictions:secondjurisdictionmustmakeareasonableefforttoobtainthedefendant.

DisclosureofEvidence

•  Prosecutorhasanaffirmativedutytodiscloseallinculpatoryandexculpatoryevidencetothedefense.

•  Remedy:convictionmaybeoverturnedoranewtrialwillbeheldwithoutthatevidence.

•  Defensedutytodisclose:Onlyaffirmativedefenses:selfdefense;aliabi,insanity.

•  Witnesslistsareexchanged.•  Pre-TrialEvidencehearingheld.

Pre-TrialIdentification

•  DueProcessrightnottohaveundulysuggestivepre-trialidentificationprocedures.

•  Line-Up’s:Acriticalpartofthetrial.Attorneycanbepresentasarightifthedefendanthasbeencharged.

•  Line-Up’sonseriouscasesnowvideotaped.

CompetencytoStandTrial

•  DistinguishwithInsanityattimeoftheCrime.•  ADueProcessRequirement:unfairtotrysomeonewhoisunabletoparticipateintheirowndefense.

•  Doetheyunderstandthenatureoftheproceedings?Cantheyassisttheirattorneyinthetrialprocess?Dotheyhaveareasonabledegreeofunderstanding?

•  Remedy:treatmentuntilcompetencecomes.

DoubleJeopardy

•  5thAmendmentRightnottobeplacedtwiceinJeopardyforthesamecriminalact.

•  Attaches:InaJuryTrial–whentheJuryisempaneledandswornin.JudgeTrial–whenfirstwitnessisswornin.

•  Exceptions:(1)HungJury(2)Mistrial(3)Retrialaftersuccessfulappeal(4)Breachofapleabargain.

•  MustbetheSameOffense:Crimesmusthavethesameelements.

•  SeparateSovereigns:NotDoubleJeopardy

TRIALRIGHTS

BurdenofProof

•  PresumptionofInnocence.•  Prosecutionhastheburdenofproof:IftheStatefailstomeetit’sburdenthenthedefendantcannotbeconvicted.

•  BurdenofProof:Proofbeyondareasonabledoubt.Adoubtforwhichareasonexists?

•  AffirmativeDefenses:Prosecutionstillhasinitialburden,butdefensemustconvincejuryondefense.(Insanity,SelfDefense)

RighttoaFairTrial

•  AnecessarypartoftheDueProcessElementoftheConstitution.AppliestoallcriminaltrialsintheUnitedStates.

•  RighttoaPublicTrial:CanonlybeclosediftheJudgefindsitisnecessarytoafairtrial.-PublicincludesthePress.-Television–uptothepresidingJudge.

RighttoaFairTrial

•  RighttoanUnbiasedJudge:NoactualMalice,nofinancialinterest;mustavoidallappearanceofimpropriety.Mustbealawyer.-RighttoexcusetheJudge

•  RighttofreefromTrialDisruptions:Nolongdelays,noprejudicialactions(prisonclothing,shackles,etc.)

Order of a us jury trial

•  Pre-Trial Motions and Hearings. •  Jury Selection •  Opening Statements •  Prosecution Case: Direct and Cross Examination of

Prosecution Witnesses. •  Defense Case: Direct and Cross Examination of Defense

Witnesses. •  Jury Instructions •  Closing Arguments •  Jury Deliberations and Verdict

RighttoTrialbyJury

•  6thAmendmentRight:Appliestoseriousoffenses(penaltyof6monthsofprisonormore).

•  Juveniles:NoJuryTrialRight.FamilyCourt

•  12istraditional,notrequired.Atleast6required.

•  Unanimity:11-1,10-2.9-3allowed.6personjuriesmustbeunanimous.

•  RighttoJuryselectedfromrepresentativecrosssectionofcommunity.RaceandGenderissues.

•  JuryTrialRightinCapitalCases:USv.Booker.

RighttoConfrontWitnesses

•  6thAmendmentRight:Importanceintheadversarialsystem.

•  Factfindermustobservewitnesstodeterminecredibility

•  Defendanthasarighttocrossexamine.

•  FacetoFace:unlessthereisacompellingreason.ChildWitnesses,WitnessProtectionorActionsofDefendant.

•  Co-DefendantConfessions:mustbeavailableforcrossexamination.

GuiltyPleasPleaBargaining

•  Over90%ofallcasesarepleabargainedintheUnitedStates.

•  Whathappensinapleabargain?

•  PositivesandNegatives?•  LegalRequirementsofPleaBargaining?

APPEAL

•  FewcasesareappealedinAmericanCriminalCourtsincomparisontoEuropeanPractice–Reasons:-PleaBargaining-NotGuiltyVerdicts-FactualDeterminationscannotbeappealed-PreferenceforJudicialDiscretion

APPEAL

•  GuiltyVerdictcanbeappealedbasedon:

-  Mistakesinvolvingthelaw-  Mistakesinvolvingapplicationofthefactstothelaw

-  MistakesinvolvingConstitutionalRights-  Mistakesinvolvingprocessthateffectaconstitutionalright

APPEAL

•  Usuallyoneappealallowedasamatterofright.Additionalappealshavetoconvincethecourtthatawrongoccurredinorderforthemtoagreetohearthecase.

•  Automaticappealreviewofdeathpenaltycases.

APPEAL

•  TrialCourt(FactsandLaw)

•  CourtofAppeals(LawOnly)

•  SupremeCourt(LawOnly)

WRITOFHABEOUSCORPUS

•  Civillawremedy–producethebody.•  Onlyappliestothoseincustody.•  Allnormalappealsmustbeexhausted.•  Mustprovethatthepersonisbeingheldinviolationoftheconstitution.

•  Oftenusedtoreopenanoldcasethathasexhaustedallotherremedies.

POWERTOPARDON

•  STATEGOVERNORSFORSTATECRIMES

•  USPRESIDENTFORALLCRIMES

•  CANBE:FULL,PARTIAL,COMMUTATIONOFSENTENCE.

SENTENCING: •  Post plea or finding of guilt •  Sentencing Hearing Held –

decision by Judge or Jury •  Purposes of Sentencing:

- RESTITUTION - RETRIBUTION (PUNISHMENT) - DETERRENCE - REHABILITATION

SENTENCING

•  Courtlookstoaggravatingandmitigatingcircumstances.Pre-SentenceReport;Letters,Testimony.

•  Sentencingsystems:

-  Broadwithsubstantialjudicialdiscretion.-  Narrow–DeterminativeSentencingSchemes,JudgesDiscretionLimited.

DEATH PENALTY: UNITED STATES

DEATH PENALTY: UNITED STATES

•  8th Amendment: Prohibition against Cruel and Unusual Punishment

•  Limited to Aggravated Murder Cases: Felony Murder; First Degree Murder; Hired Killing; Treason and Desertion (Fed.)

•  State Issue: Not Federal one. •  Limits: Serious Crimes; No one under 18 at time

crime was committed; Must be mentally competent.

•  Methods: Hanging; Firing Squad; Electric Chair; Gas; Lethal Injection

•  Political Question.