Kaplan Pgs 419-427 Fair Trial Flashcards Preview

Criminal Procedure > Kaplan Pgs 419-427 Fair Trial > Flashcards

Flashcards in Kaplan Pgs 419-427 Fair Trial Deck (30)
Loading flashcards...
1
Q

If two defendants are tied together, how can they get a right of severance?

A

If either co-defendant is unfairly prejudiced at any stage of a joint trial

2
Q

If in a joint trial one co-defendant’s confession implicates the other, what happens?

A

That gives a right to confrontation that prohibits the use of the confession and demands that the defendants be given separate trials

3
Q

What does the due process right to an unbiased judge require?

A

The magistrate cannot be prejudiced against the defendant or financially interested in the outcome of the trial

4
Q

What is involved in the right to effective counsel?

A

The law presumes that legal counsel is effective, so the defendant has the duty to demonstrate otherwise by proving:
– that counsel was ineffective and deviated from reasonably prevailing norms
– there’s a reasonable probability that the verdict would not have been guilty if counsel had been effective

5
Q

What must an indigent be informed of before a waiver of the right to counsel is valid?

A

His right to free counsel

6
Q

What are the major critical stages of a proceeding that the right to counsel would attach to?

A
- custodial interrogation
– post indictment lineup
– preliminary hearings
– arraignments
– felony trials
- sentencing
– appeals as a matter of right
7
Q

What are stages of a trial that are not deemed to be critical and so no right to counsel exists?

A
– preliminary identification procedures
– preindictment lineups
- nonadversarial detention hearings
- grand jury proceedings
– discretionary appeals
– parole revocation
- habeas corpus proceedings
8
Q

What does the defendant need in order to be competent?

A
  • he must be able to understand the nature of the charges
    – have the capacity to consult with his lawyer to prepare his defence
    – be oriented as to time and place
    – have a fair recollection of the events surrounding the charge
9
Q

When is a defendant’s competency determined?

A

At the time of trial, not at the time of the crime

10
Q

If a defendant is found to be incompetent, what usually happens?

A

He is committed for treatment, and the criminal proceedings are suspended until he regains his competence. Generally he cannot remain indefinitely in a mental health hospital

11
Q

What are the rules about the government giving drugs to mentally ill defendants?

A

The government can give antipsychotic drugs to a mentally ill defendant against his will in order to make him competent to stand trial for serious criminal charges

12
Q

What is the rule for a right to jury trial?

A

It attaches in any criminal proceeding if the defendant faces a potential sentence of longer than six months

13
Q

How many jurors are necessary?

A
  • 6 are necessary for non-capital cases: verdict must be unanimous. Five is unconstitutional as a denial of due process
  • state criminal trials that have 12 member juries do not have to be unanimous. Super majorities like 10 to 2 or 9 to 3 are OK
  • for federal trials there must be a unanimous verdict from 12 jurors
14
Q

What is the right of a defendant with regard to the make up of a jury?

A

He has a right to a jury selected from a cross section of the community. But this doesn’t have to include members of all minority groups

15
Q

Peremptory challenges can be exercised for any rational or irrational reason, except what?

A

On the basis of race, ethnicity, or gender

16
Q

How many peremptory challenges do parties get in federal criminal court?

A

– capital case with the death penalty: 20
– felony case: government has 6 and defendant has 10
– misdemeanor: 3

17
Q

If peremptory challenges are used to exclude prospective jurors based on race, ethnicity, or gender, what does that violate?

A

The equal protection clause

18
Q

If there is a prima facie showing of purposeful racial discrimination in jury selection, where does the burden go?

A

On the accused party to prove otherwise. A pretext or reason for using a peremptory challenge gives rise to an inference of discriminatory intent

19
Q

If there is an under representation of a distinct and significant racial group from the members of the jury, that provides grounds of what?

A

A prima facie showing of discriminatory jury selection

20
Q

In order for one party to rebut a charge of racial discrimination with regard to jury selection, what do they have to show?

A

Racially neutral selection procedures

21
Q

Is it OK to exclude a juror because he has misgivings about imposing capital punishment?

A

No

22
Q

In a case, if a prospective juror has views about capital punishment that would prevent or substantially impair the performance of his duties as a juror, what happens?

A

He is subject to a challenge for cause

23
Q

If a prospective juror is opposed to capital punishment, is that enough to excuse him for cause?

A

No. Only if his personal beliefs would substantially limit his ability to follow the court’s instructions or from fairly considering the imposition of a death sentence

24
Q

What does it mean that the defendant has a right to a public trial for all criminal prosecutions under the sixth amendment?

A

He has the right for the press and the public to have access to the trial. But he can also choose to waive this right

25
Q

Members of the press and the general public have a sixth amendment right to be present at all criminal proceedings except a grand jury, unless what?

A

The judge specifically finds an overriding interest to require a closed trial

26
Q

The judge has a right to put limitations on the public and the media with regard to a public trial, as long as what?

A

The exclusions are to protect the defendant’s right to a fair trial

27
Q

What is the right to confrontation?

A

The defendant has a fundamental right to confront all witnesses against him in any federal or state criminal prosecution

28
Q

What is the purpose of the right of confrontation?

A

To give the defendant an opportunity to cross examine witnesses at trial

29
Q

What are punishments that the trial judge can mete out on a defendant?

A
  • bind and gag the defendant
    – cite him for contempt
  • remove him from the courtroom for disruptive behaviour
30
Q

What are the standards for proof in a criminal trial?

A

– Prosecution must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant is guilty of each element of the claim
– defendant must prove affirmative defences by a preponderance of the evidence
– if the affirmative defence is insanity, that must be proven by clear and convincing evidence