General Flashcards
What is your immediate action at a scene with a body?
Ascertain whether the subject is still alive and if so administer first aid. If not, note the position not the body.
How should envelope exhibits be secured?
Sealed with adhesive tape on all openings and sign across the tape.
Staples must NOT be used.
What action should be taken by someone who serves a summons and does not intend to carry out prosecution?
The person who issued the summons must take all reasonable steps to notify the person summoned of the decision before the date on which the defendant is required by the summons to appear.
When may a summons be issued?
A summons may be issued before or after a charging document is filed and no more than 2 months before the required court appearance.
At what in court proceeding do you elect a trial by jury?
An election under section 50 (jury trial for category 3 offence) must be made at the time of entering a not guilty plea, unless the defendant obtains the leave of the court.
What is the four roles of a support person for a witness?
- Reducing the witness’s anxiety
- Ensuring the witness’s well-being and that 3. they understand procedures
Aiding your understanding of the witness’s needs - Providing support to the witness leading up to court proceedings.
Are pre-trial admissibly hearings for jury trials or judge alone trials
For both.
Steps for a child or young person to select a nominated person.
- Selection: child or young person can consult with before, and have present during a lawyer or any person nominated by them, or both, of their choice.
Their guardian, an adult member of family or any other adult.
- Refusal: Police can refuse nominated person on basis that consult with nominated person would likely pervert the course of justice OR they cannot be located (can be waits in excess of an hour)
- Non-compliance: if child or young person does not nominate a person, ask them to nominate someone from the schedule of nominated persons held at the station. If they are unwilling to do that then select a person yourself from the schedule.
What are the steps when a nominated person arrives at the station for an interview?
- Introduce to child or young person and explain reason for interview.
- Explain their role.
- Give them a copy of ‘Guidance for Nominated Persons’ POL 388A and go through it with them.
- Explain the suspect’s rights and ask nominated person to go through with suspect to ensure they understand.
- Leave them alone for a reasonable time and when return ask nominated person to sign a copy of the ‘Guidance for Nominated Persons’ leaflet.
Should a support person for a special consideration witness be present in the room during an interview?
Yes, a person may be present to support a witness if the interviewer considers that it is in the interests of the witness AND the person is an appropriate person.
What must before a judge can require a plea to be entered?
That the defendant has had initial disclosure.
If the defendant is representing himself the court must be satisfied the defendant has…
- Been informed of rights to legal representation,
- Has fully understood those rights,
- Has had a reasonable opportunity to exercise those rights,
- Substance of charge must be read to the defendant.
When should you visually record an interview with a witness?
To maximise the quality of the evidence.
Should a support person for a child witness also be a witness in the investigation?
No. Adult, who is not a witness or suspect, won’t pervert course of justice and is available within reasonable period of time.
You must not ask questions that amount to cross-examination. R v Weaver 1956 set up what cross-examination means, which is?
Questions that amount to cross-examination, in the sense that certain facts are not accepted by Police and you are attempting to whittle down or to differentiate the answers already given.
What is the aim of case management discussions?
To determine whether the case will proceed to trial and make arrangements to resolve any issues before trial
R v Goodwin 1993, arbitrary detention was explained as…
When an officer tells a person in no uncertain words or conduct that they are not free to go.
Overriding principle of youth interview is…
Whether the youth was informed of their rights according to s215 OT Act
Recklessness question
Consciously and deliberately took an unjustified risk
The initial action team must not move exhibits unless…
They will be affected by the weather and cannot be packaged.
Preserve scene
A special consideration witness is one who…
Is affected by the nature of the offence or has personal characteristics affecting their ability to communicate easily.
About communication
Jo Brown example bruise to face and depression. Example of what?
Injury.
Actually bodily harm not necessarily limited to physical injures. Impaired state of mind victim can no longer go about their normal life, etc. Must be psychiatric injury, identified as condition.
Fear or distress will not meet test of actual bodily harm.
Initial action team locates male at scene. You should…
Arrest him and transport to station.
If suspect located, ID, apprehend and isolate from scene is priority.
An immediate statement taking from witness who is about to die…
Does not need to be signed to be admissible.
Because hearsay statement, the test of which is reliability (content and person who made it)
Consider recording statement to increase reliability.
Record any factors that demonstrate reliability or statement or maker
A witness with impairment is…
A witness entitled to special consideration from police and others.