Key Amendment in Criminal Procedure
Exclusionary Rule
A remedy of American constitutional procedure whereby someone who has been the victim of illegal search or a coerced confession can (among their other remedies) have the product of that illegal search or that coerced statement EXCLUDED from any subsequent criminal prosecution.
What are the limitations on exclusion?
Exclusion Rule: Impeachment services
The Fruit of the Poisonous Tree Doctrine (Fruit after the Poison Act)
Excluded illegally seized evidence
Excludes all evidence obtained or derived from () Page 3 AR book
Does not apply to Miranda violations unless the police act in bad faith in obtaining such information.
Three ways to cure the poisonous fruit
3Is
1. The government could show that it has INDEPENDENT source for that evidence, independent of that original police illegality.
The Exclusionary Rule and Conviction
A conviction will not necessarily be overturned because improperly obtained evidence was admitted at trial.
On appeal, a court will apply the harmless error test.
Under the test, a conviction will be upheld if the conviction would have resulted despite in the improper evidence.
Fourth Amendment
Protects citizen from unreasonable searches and seizure.
Arrests and Detentions Under the 4th Amendment
Investigatory Detentions Under the 4th Amendment
Terry Stops
The police have the authority to briefly detain a person even if they lack probable cause to arrest.
In order to make such a stop, the police must have a reasonable suspicion supported by articuable facts of criminal activity.
Whether the police have reasonable suspicion depends on the TOTALITY of CIRCUMSTANCES.
What about automobile stops under the 4th?
Need reasonable suspicion.
EXCEPT for checkpoints.
What about Traffic Stops and Police Dogs
During routine traffic stops, a sniff is not a search so long as the police do not extend the stop beyond the time needed to issue a ticket or conduct normal inquiries.
SC in 2013 held that during such a traffic stop, a dog “alert” to the presence of drugs can form the basis for probable cause for the search.
BUT, Police not having probably cause cannot use a drug sniffing dog directly outside the home of a suspected drug dealer.
Search and Seizure Model Answer
Search and Seizure Model Answer: 1. Government Conduct?
The publically paid police - on or off duty.
Any private individual acting at the direction of the public police.
Privately Paid Police Actions
DO NOT constitute governmental conduct UNLESS they are deputized with power to arrest.
Examples of Private Paid Police without Power to Arrest
Search and Seizure Model Answer: 2. Reasonable expectation of privacy?
You must have standing.
What are the automatic categories of standing?
Sometimes category:
4. You own the property seized, ONLY IF a reasonable expectation of privacy is given to the item or area searched. (Backpack)
What are the “no standing” categories?
You have NO expectation of privacy, and therefore no standing for anything that you hold out to the public everyday.
Examples:
Search and Seizure Model Answer: 3. Core Requirements for a Facially Valid Search Warrant
2Ps
Standard of Probably Cause
A FAIR PROBABILITY that contraband or evidence of a crime will be found in the area searched.
Particularity
The warrant must state with particularity the PLACE to be searched and the THINGS to be seized.
Warrants and the Use of Informants
When is “no knock” entry permitted?