Crim Pro Flashcards
(134 cards)
4th amendment
right of people to be secure in their persons, houses, paper, and effects against unreasonable searches and seizures,
& no warrants shall issue but upon PC …and particularly describing the place to be searched, and persons to be seized
electronic tracking (search)
info obtained via sense-enhancing tech re: interior of home that couldn’t have been obtained w/o physical intrusion = search
Variables pertinent to determining curtilage:
- Area’s proximity to home
- Existence of an enclosure around the area
- Nature of the use to which the area is put
- Precautions taken to exclude others from the area
curtilage v open fields inquiry
whether the gov’s intrusion infringes upon the personal & societal values protected by the 4th
Dog sniff
- Not search bc it doesn’t reveal any info other than whether there’s illegal drugs
- However, you can’t just bring a trained drug-sniffing dog to someone’s front door. No customary invitation to bring a trained police dog to explore area around a home in hopes of discovering incriminating evidence
what is PC?
- “fair probability” or “substantial chance”
- must be based on objective facts
- essential precondition for valid warrant to search or seize
PC for arrest
Facts & circumstances w/in PO’s knowledge ( & of which he has reasonably trustworthy info) which are sufficient in themselves to warrant a person of reasonable caution in the belief that:
- a particular person
- has or is committing a particular offense
PC for searches
Facts & circumstances warranting belief that:
- Fruits/instrumentalities/evidence of crime
- Presently
- In specific location
existence of PC determined by
judge, not PO
how to evaluate PC when PC showing relied on info provided by informant
totality of circumstances test - task of magistrate is to make a PRACTICAL, COMMON SENSE DECISION whether: given all circumstances set forth in affadavit (incl veracity & basis of knowledge of person supplying info) there’s a FAIR PROBABILITY that contraband or evidence will be found in a particular place
stricter aguilar-spinelli test for evaluating PC based on hearsay
1. Basis of Knowledge: how did informant acquire info? • express stmt of 1st hand knowledge • self-verifying detail • accurate prediction of future events 2. Veracity: should informant be believed? • track record of accurate info • declaration against interest • independent corroboration
warrant not required for arrest if crime is:
a. Felony;
b. Misdemeanor committed in the officer’s presence; or
c. ∆ arrested in public place
4th requires a judicial determination of PC as a prerequisite to extend restraint on liberty following a warrantless arrest:
a. jdx tht provides w/in 48 hrs, generally complies w/ 4th A promptness requirement
b. when arrestee doesn’t receive w/in 48hrs, burden shifts to gov to demonstrate emergency or extraordinary circumstance
Anticipatory Search Warrants
• based on affidavit showing PC tht
1. at some future time
2. certain evidence of crime
3. will be located at a specified place.
most subject execution to a triggering condition (but doesnt have to be in warrant)
• doesnt violate 4th bc PC requirement looks to whether evidence will be found when search is conducted
In order to comply with PC requirement, 2 pre-req’s of probability required:
(anticipatory search warrants)
- if triggering condition occurs, there’s a fair probability that contraband or evidence of crime will be found in a particular place
- PC to believe triggering condition will occur
Test for whether a warrant is sufficiently particular
- As to what is to be taken, nothing is to be left to the discretion of PO executing the warrant
- Degree of required particularity depends on what is feasible under the circumstances, including the nature of things to be seized
4th amendment specifies only two matters that must be particularly described in warrant:
- places to be searched
2. persons or things to be seized
Mistake in description of place to be searched
- doesn’t invalidate, provided mistake is reasonable (info available to police at time of application & issuance)
- warrant invalid if police knew, or should have known, warrant was mistaken
Knocking before entry
• reasonable execution of warrant generally requires police knock, announce, & be denied before forcing entry
• exception: police have RS that knocking & announcing would be:
1. dangerous
2. futile; or
3. would inhibit effective investigation (e.g. destruction of evidence)
exception to warrant requirement: analysis
- What is the SHOWING necessary to invoke exception?
(What facts or circumstances need to be established in order for PO to use) - What is the SCOPE of authority conferred by the exception?
- What is the underlying RATIONALE?
SILA - showing/requirements
- PC to arrest
- warrant if required (payton)
- custody
SILA - scope
- grasping distance of arrestee
- articles inside unlocked passenger compartment generally w/in reach
- in case of lawful custodial arrest: full search of person is reasonable
SILA - rationale
- Prevent arrestee from obtaining weapon/harming PO
2. Prevent destruction/concealment of evidence
SILA - passenger compartment scope
Police may search a vehicle incident to a recent occupants arrest only if:
- arrestee is w/in reaching distance of passenger compartment at the time of the search; or
- it is reasonable to believe the vehicle contains evidence of the offense of arrest