fl crim pro Flashcards
(233 cards)
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felony crimes
any crime punishable by one or more yr in prison
misdemeanor
any crime punishable by less than one year
jurisdiction for felonies
circuit courts
jurisdiction for misdemeanors
county
right to counsel in federal crimes
certain amount of time in jail will qualify you for right to counsel
right to counsel in florida: indigency
indigent entitled if possibility of jail.
indigents do not have right to counsel when
written order from judge (order of no incarceration) certifying they will not impose jail time if defendant is convicted
pre-trial procedure: arrest
by constitutional mandate, fl law must follow sup ct interpretations of 4th a
the police should get an arrest warrant unless an exception apply
rules invoked with assumption someone has been arrested
pre-trial procedure: arrest warrants
process
requirements:
* officer has probable cause to believe that the arrestee has committed an offense specified by statute
probable cause
* focuses on quality and quantity of info
* requires officer have sufficient facts and circumstances that would cause a reasonable person to believe a crime is being committed
* info has to be trustworthy
formalities:
* signed by the court
* before signing warrant, court reviews an affidavit (Sworn statement, usually by law enforcement officer, presented to the court)
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form
warrant must contain:
* name of defendant, if known (with photograph if available or a good description)
* nature of the offense
* date warrant issued
* county where its issued
* amount of bail
* signature of judge
but the arrest warrant will not be dismissed and a person in custody will not be discarged SOLELY as a result of a defect as to the form of the warrant, the judge may amend the warrant to remedy it instead
warrantless arrest
An officer may arrest an individual without a warrant:
* if the person has committed a felony or a misdemeanor or violated a municipal or county ordinance in the officer’s presence, or
* when any felony has been committed and the officer reasonably believes that the person arrested committed it.
And in Florida, an officer may make a warrantless arrest if the officer has probable cause to believe that an individual has committed certain criminal acts specified by statute—e.g., child abuse or domestic violence.
method of arrest
to make an arrest without an arrest warrant, officers must
1. tell arrestees the reason for arrest and
2. show them warrant ASAP
BUT, though an officer generally must inform the arrested party of his authority and reasons for the arrest, this is inapplicable when the person first flees or forcibly resists
pretrial procedures: habeas corpus
if denied pretrial release, arrestee may appeal the detention with the civil action of habeas corpus
May also use habeas corpus to challenge the conditions imposed on pretrial release
pre trial procedure: preliminary hearings
Purpose is to determine if there is probable cause
(1) non adversarial hearing
* Used when defendant is in custody and no arrest warrant was issued prior to the arrest
* Court determines whether state has probable cause to keep defendant in jail
* Must occur within 48 hours of the arrest
* For extraordinary circumstances, judge may grant up to two 24-hour extensions
(2) adversarial preliminary hearing
* Held if defendant is in custody and no charges have been filed within 21 days of arrest
* Witnesses can be called
* Court determines if there is probable cause for the charges justifying confinement
terry stop (without frisk)
In Florida, if an officer reasonably believes that a person
(1) has committed,
(2) is committing,
(3) or is about to commit a violation of either state, municipal, or county laws or ordinances, the officer may temporarily detain the person and ask for:
- the person’s identity and
- an explanation surrounding the circumstances.
terry stop (without frisk)
In Florida, if an officer reasonably believes that a person
(1) has committed,
(2) is committing,
(3) or is about to commit a violation of either state, municipal, or county laws or ordinances, the officer may temporarily detain the person and ask for:
- the person’s identity and
- an explanation surrounding the circumstances.
searches (warrant)
arrest warrant says crime has been committed
Search warrant says if we go to a place, we have probable cause that certain evidence will be
there
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getting a search warrant
Judge must sign the warrant (physically or electronically)
Affidavit required (four “p”s):
1. probable cause there will be evidence of an offense in the location searched
2. person to be searched OR
3. place to be searched
4. property to be seized
* Definition of the property will limit where the police can search.
* Police are not required to ignore evidence that is not listed in a search warrant which they come across during the search. They may be able to seize the evidence under the plain view doctrine.
After warrant is executed, must be returned within 10 of the issuance of the warrant
* Return: contains a list of all evidence seized (i.e., inventory)
* Cannot be executed at night or on Sundays unless authorized by the court
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in Florida, an officer may break into any part of a house to execute a search warrant if the officer:
* gave notice of his authority and purpose for executing the warrant and
* was refused entry.
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Florida stop and Frisk Law
The stop requires reasonable suspicion that the person is about to commit, is committing, or has committed a crime; and
The frisk (open-handed pat down of outer clothing) requires reasonable suspicion to believe that the person temporarily detained is armed with a dangerous weapon.
Feels like a weapon = reasonable suspicion to search that pocket
Feels like evidence (not a weapon) = requires proba
Exclusionary Rule: evidence may be excluded if:
* Stopped without reasonable suspicion
* Frisked without reasonable suspicion
* Frisk is improper
* Evidence removed without reasonable suspicion that it was a weapon o Evidence removed without probable cause
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electronic devices
(1) *fl law requirements *
unambiguous consent to search the phone; or
warrant
* Phone cannot be seized until the warrant is granted.
(2) US Supreme Court: reluctant to allow for searches of electronic devices
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wiretapping
Law enforcement can tap phones without consent
Private citizens: Florida is a two party consent state
* Both parties must consent
* Otherwise, it is a crime
* If a person knows that a recording was made illegally and uses/distributes it, the person can also be charged with a crime.
fifth amendment and jurisdiction issues
Jurisdiction
(1) Original jurisdiction of the Circuit Courts
* Felonies
* Misdemeanors that are joined to a felony
* all juvenile criminal matters except misdemeanor traffic offenses
* all criminal appeals of matters tried in the county court except any orders that declare a state statute or constitutional provision invalid
* writs of habeas corpus, mandamus, prohibition, quo warranto, and other writs necessary to complete the exercise of any circuit court jurisdiction
* all actions not vested in the county court
(2) Appellate jurisdiction of District Courts of Appeals
* Primarily appellate jurisdiction
* Final judgment from trial courts
* interlocutory appeals (not a final order of judgment)
(3) Appellate jurisdiction of the Florida Supreme Court
* all final judgments of death penalty cases
* issues certified by district courts of appeals as of great importance
* District Court of Appeals interpretations on constitutional validity
(4) Jurisdiction of county court includes misdemeanors (if not joined with a felony)
pre-trial procedure: notice to appear in lieu of physical arrest
- only applicable in misdemeanor cases.
instead of arresting you, police officer can give you NTO. - sign charges/ticket, your signature is promise to show up in court
- when summoned if you don’t sign then you’re taken into custody/arrestedNTA counts as arrest, certain rights now apply like right to speedy trial
pre-trial procedure: first appearance
- first thing that happens for defendant is physical arrest
- must happen within 24 hrs of arrest
- Must appoint counsel if arrestee is indigent and there is any possibility of jail time
- the defendant may waive the right to counsel at the first appearance, but this waiver is limited to first appearance– court must renew the offer of assistance of counsel at each subsequent stage of the proceedings at which the defendant appears without counsel
- defendant does not need to be physically present, as long as all parties can hear eachother (incl att’y)
- def must be
1. told what he is arrested for
2. mini miranda rights read (Att’y, silence, public def)
3. communicate with family
4. court determined conditions of release
and if possible, probable cause determination
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if the defendant does not appear before a judge within 24 hours of the arrest, the defendant is not been informed of his rights during this period. Therefore, an attorney may move to suppress any statements the defendant made during the delay in presenting the defendant to the judge.
theme: def’s custody hearing designed to keep def out of jail
pre-trial procedure: pre-trial release
- constitution says: every def has right to release on reasonable condition.
- virtually every offense qualifies
- way to get out jail
goals:
1. to assure presence of def at trial
2. secure integrity of court process (protect community from danger)Pretrial detention may be granted if no conditions of release can reasonably protect the community from risk of physical harm, assure the presence of the defendant at trial, or assure the integrity of the judicial process. Pretrial detention may also be ordered if the court finds a substantial probability that the defendant:
* violated previous pretrial release conditions
* threatened, intimidated, or injured a victim, witness, juror, or judicial officer with intent to obstruct the judicial process
* is charged with trafficking in controlled substances or DUI manslaughter (and other aggravators exist)
* was on probation, parole, or other release at the time the current event was committed
* poses a harm to the community or
* otherwise violated a condition of pretrial release for the current offense, and no other conditions will reasonably protect the community from the risk of physical harm.
(1) Capital or life offense determinations
* D charged with capital or life offense and proof of guilt is evident or the presumption is great
* Presumption = no pretrial release
the court may not grant release unless the defendant establishes that the appeal:
* is taken in good faith
* is based on fairly debatable grounds and
* is not frivolous.
(2) noncapital cases
* Florida courts have the discretion to grant a defendant post-conviction release pending a review of the defendant’s conviction.
(3) Nonmonetary release determinations
* Presumption = pretrial release on nonmonetary conditions
* Court’s concerns = D not committing more crimes and coming back
Factors courts consider:
* nature and circumstances of the crime
* weight of the evidence
* dangers to the communtiy
* community ties and employment
* mental state or substance abuse
* criminal history
(3) timing
* Bail can be modified with only 3 hours’ notice.
* Pretrial detention is granted if State files motion at first appearance or 3 days after hearing
Additional grounds:
* violated conditions previously
* drug trafficking or DUI Manslaughter
* under supervision at time of arrest
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computation of time
Day of the act/event triggering the deadline is not included.
7 Days or more
* Begin counting the day after event that signals time period
* If a Saturday/Sunday/holiday, start counting the day afterwards
* Every following day must be counted including weekends, legal holidays, and last day of the period
less than 7 days
* begin counting the day after the event that signals computation
* if a saturday/sunday/holiday, start counting the day afterwards
* Afterwards, do NOT count weekends and holidays
Shared requirements
* The last day falls on a weekend or legal holiday (then the time runs until the end of the next
business day)
pretrial procedure: filing of charges
Felonies charged by (i) indicment from the grand jury; or (ii) information from state attorney
* Capital offenses (like felony murder) must be charged by indictment
* Other crimes can be charged by indictment
* Other crimes can be charged by information
* Indictment—document written by the prosecution, but signed by grand jury foreman
* Information—charge written by the prosecution
Misdemeanors generally charged by:
* notice to appear (summons) or affidavit (ticket)
* If defendant in custody, charges must be filed within 30 days of arrest; if deadline not met, the court must give notice to the state ordering the defendant’s release on his own recognizance.
* Does not dismiss the case, simply releases the defendant from custody.
However, an officer may not issue a notice to appear if:
* the person fails or refuses to identify himself
* the person fails or refuses to sign the notice
* the person has no ties to the community
* the person poses an unreasonable risk of bodily harm to himself or another
* the person has previously failed to appear, or
* the officer suspects that the person may be wanted in another jurisdiction.
joinder and severance
(1) joinder
Where two defendants are joined together
Also, the joining of all crimes in the event into one case
A defendant may be charged with a crime by indictment or by information. Two or more defendants may be charged in the same indictment or information as long as each defendant is charged with:
* accountability for each offense charged
* the same count of conspiracy, and some are also charged with one or more offenses alleged to have been committed in furtherance of the conspiracy or
* offenses that were part of a common scheme or plan if conspiracy is not charged.
(2) severance
defendant can argue for the defendants (or crimes) to be severed
In Florida, the state may file an indictment or an information to charge a defendant with a felony offense. Multiple offenses may be charged in the same indictment or information (i.e., are related) if:
* the offenses are triable in the same court and
* the charges are based on the same act or transaction, or on two or more connected acts or transactions.
If either condition is not met, the offenses were improperly charged in the same document and the defendant may file a timely motion to sever the offenses.
A defendant’s motion to sever is timely if it is made before trial, unless the opportunity did not exist or the defendant was not aware of the grounds of such a motion.
(3) consolidation
typically, cases are consolidated
usually seen on appeal
If two or more indictments or informations charge related offenses, then the offenses must be consolidated for trial on a timely motion made by the defendant or the state.
If a defendant has been tried on a charge of one of two or more related offenses that the State failed to consolidate, then the other related offenses must be dismissed unless:
* the defendant waived the right to consolidation
* a consolidation motion was made and denied or
* the State can show that it has been unable by due diligence to obtain evidence to warrant charging the other offenses.
* example: where defendant found not guilty of attempted 2nd degree murder, and was then charged with aggravated assault of the same victim and based on the same incident and same evidence as the murder trial, it should be dismissed for failure to consolidate
pre-trial procedure: arraignment
defendant is advised of the charges filed in information or indictment
hearing scheduled ONLY when pros. files charges
1. judge makes sure def has lawyer that they’re entitled to
2. enter plead to charges, options: guilty, not guilty, no contest/nolo contendere.
* guilty: go straight to sentencing
* not guilty: trial; the court is not required to take further action after a defendant pleads not guilty to the charged offense, after this defendant cannot challenge court’s response to his plea
* nolo contendere: treated as guilty. all judges have authority to reject nolo contendere and force def to plead guilty
* arraignment can be waived in writing if you plead not guilty
To accept a guilty plea, the court must decide that:
* The defendant (e.g., Pansy) understands the plea and its significance;
* its a voluntary plea and
* there exists a factual basis for the plea
if there was a guilty plea deal with a pro-se defendant:
* the prosecutor must maintain a record of any direct conversations with the pro se defendant that resulted in the plea agreement and make the record available to the court upon entry of the negotiated plea.
if prosecutor intends to seek the death penalty, must file notice within 45 days of arraignment
* notice must include the proposed aggravating circumstances permitting capital punishment
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prosecuting and defense attorneys are encouraged to discuss and agree to pleas that may be entered by the defendant.
the discussion and agreement must be made with defense counsel if the defendant is represented
The defense attorney must advise the defendant of all plea offers and all matters pertinent to the plea decision.
pretrial motions
all motions must be in wriitng and served on the opposing party
major pretrial motions
* motion to dismiss
* motion to suppress
* motion to take deposition to perpetuate testimony
* demand for speedy trial
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Motion to Dismiss
Generally, must be filed at or before the arraignment (unless court permits later filing) or grounds for dismissal waived
Motions alleging the following grounds for dismissal may be considered at any time:
* Double jeopardy
* There are no disputed facts, and based on the undisputed facts, there is no prima facie case.
Prima facie case—if a reasonable juror could conclude that defendant committed a charged offense; same standard as will apply at the close of the prosecution’s case
motion to suppress evidence
Argument is that the constitution was violated during the investigation
Evidence usually obtained in violation of the Fourth, Fifth or Sixth Amendments
* The Fifth Amendment provides that no person shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself.
* However, this privilege protects only testimonial evidence.
* Nontestimonial physical evidence—e.g., blood or urine samples and evidence of physical characteristics—is not protected.
Contrast with motions in limine
* a motions to suppress deals with constitutional issues
* motions in limine based on evidentiary grounds
Usually based on violations by police
Courts usually require that it be filed before trial unless good cause is shown for raising the issue during trial
motions in limine
filed before trial
Based on evidentiary rulings to say that the evidence should be excluded
Can also be used to determine if a type of evidence is admissible before trial
Motion to Take Deposition to Perpetuate Testimony for Trial
requires motion
Different from a discovery deposition
Particularly done for the purpose of using the recorded testimony as a substitute for in person trial testimony
Must be filed at least 10 days before trial
Deposition will consist of direct and cross examination
Basis for court to agree:
1. Perspective witness is outside the jurisdiction or is unable to attend
2. witness is material
3. Necessary to prevent a failure of justice
Motion for Change of Venue
Must be tried in the county where the offense was committed
Motion to change venue must be filed at least 10 days before trial unless good cause is shown (e.g., the partiality of the jury pool is unknown until voir dire)
motion must argue that a fair and impartial trial cannot be had in the county where the case is pending; alleged prejudice of trial judge is insufficient
Motion must be in writing and accompanied by:
* The affidavits of the movant and two or more persons setting forth the facts; and
* A certificate of good faith by the movant’s attorney
If there are several defendants and change of venue is not required for all of them, the case will be severed
* defendants have to join in change of venue motion, the ones that did not join are stuck at the venue where the case is pending
pre-trial procedure: bail bond
- 3 way contract
- you and bondsman agree to give court money
- in fl bondsman allowed only up to 10% fee, never refunded to def
- in fl no bountyhunting
- only police can pick you up for skipping bond