Exam 3 Flashcards
criminal overview
protecting whom, sources of law, who brings the case, standard of proof
protecting whom
wrongs against society
sources of law
authority in federal and state codes (criminal sections or sometimes referred to as penal codes)
who brings the case?
government is the party prosecuting
standard of proof
beyond a reasonable doubt
white-collar crime
any illegal offense that occurs in a business or professional setting - committed to harm the business, personal gains, or even business gain
civil law: focused on types of penalties
damages or equitable relief
criminal: focused on types of penalties
fines, prison sentences, probation, community service, etc.
felonies
indictment: grand jury, fine or imprisonment >= 1 year
misdemeanor
information: government charge, fine or jail <= 1 year
intent: willful or knowingly
ignorantia juris non excusal: ignorance of the law is no excuse, a lot of laws to know about
pleas in criminal cases
guilty, not guilt, solo contendere (“no contest)
nolo contendere (“no content)
not defending and not admitting guilt, only on certain types of crimes, criminal conviction may be basis for civil damages suit
trends in white collar crime I
increase in prosecution of white collar criminals and legislative efforts to protect the public from fraud, sarbanes-oxley act
trends in white collar crime II
investigation of illegal activities by top management, plea bargaining with mid-level employees in exchange for testimony against top-level employees
trends in white collar crime III
prosecutors capitalize on high-profile prosecutions
4th amendment
protects individuals and corporations from unreasonable searches and seizures by the government, usually (but not always) require the police to obtain a search warrant
expectation of privacy
warrantless inspection of: commercial premises is reasonable in certain circumstances and higher likelihood a search of a private residence is unconstitutional
grand jury: fifth amendment to the US Constitution
before a trial for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, there must be presentment of an indictment by a grand jury
grand jury: comprised of 16 to 23 citizens: unanimity is not required
determine whether probable cause (reasonable basis) a crime has occurred - still have presumption of innocence: presuming that an indicted person is innocent until found guilty by a petit (trial jury), serve as an investigative body, functioning depends upon the secrecy of the proceedings
5th amendment protects the accused from being compelled to testify against self; does not protect
against being required to produce physical evidence, a person who is required to produce business records, companies: sole proprietorship business who are protected as impossible to distinguish between individual and the business
individuals cannot be tried twice by the same governmental entity for the same crime
double jeopardy, does not prevent two prosecutions - federal and state, on civil side you can think of doctrine of res judicator: prohibits subsequent civil actions involving the same parties, claims and causes of action
6th Amendment provides multiple protections that offer the right to
speedy and public trial, trial by jury, be informed of the charge against oneself, confront the accuser, subpoena witnesses in one’s favor, have the assistance of an attorney
8th amendment
prohibits government from imposing excessive bail, excessive fines, and cruel and unusual punishment