Evidence Law & American Criminal Court System – Comprehensive Flashcards (Ch. 1–6)

A comprehensive set of flashcards covering key concepts in Evidence Law and the American Criminal Court System based on comprehensive notes from Chapters 1 to 6.

Evidence Law

The set of rules determining what proof can be admitted in trials and how it may be presented.

Admissible Evidence

Evidence must be relevant (related to the issue) and competent (in an acceptable form).

Magna Carta

Historical document that introduced jury trials in 1215.

Three Branches of Government

Legislative (makes laws), Executive (enforces laws), Judicial (interprets laws).

Judicial Review

The principle established by Marbury v. Madison (1803) allowing courts to review the constitutionality of legislation.

Types of Jurisdiction

Personal, Subject Matter, Geographic, and Hierarchical.

Bill of Rights

Protects individual rights and liberties against government overreach.

Stare Decisis

Legal principle meaning 'Let the decision stand,' where courts follow previous rulings.

Burden of Proof

In criminal cases, the obligation to prove the defendant's guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

Exclusionary Rule

Legal doctrine stating that evidence obtained unlawfully cannot be used in court.

Mapp v. Ohio

Case applying the exclusionary rule to states in 1961.

Justification Defense

A defense claiming lawful act (e.g., self-defense).

Excuse Defense

A defense claiming lack of responsibility (e.g., insanity).

M’Naghten Test

An insanity test determining whether a person can distinguish right from wrong.

Types of Evidence

Real (tangible), Demonstrative (visual), and Testimonial (witness).

Circumstantial Evidence

Evidence that requires inference to connect it to a conclusion (e.g., motive or opportunity).

Judicial Notice

Acceptance of facts as true without formal proof.

Presumption

A fact inferred from another established fact, such as the presumption of innocence.

Fourth Amendment

Protects against unreasonable searches and seizures.

Search Definition

Government action that violates a person’s reasonable expectation of privacy (Katz v. U.S., 1967).

Probable Cause

More than 50% certainty that a crime has occurred (Beck v. Ohio, 1964).

Reasonable Suspicion

A lower standard than probable cause, used for stops (Terry v. Ohio, 1968).

Warrant Validity Requirements

Neutral magistrate, probable cause, and particularity.

Arrest Warrants

Required for private homes (Payton v. New York, 1980).

No Warrant Needed

Not required in public or during exigent circumstances (U.S. v. Watson, 1976).

Tennessee v. Garner

Case that limited the use of deadly force in arrests (1985).

Knock-and-Announce Rule

Police must announce their presence before entering (Wilson v. Arkansas, 1995).

Search Incident to Arrest

Allows police to search the arrested person’s immediate area (Chimel v. California, 1969).

Exigent Circumstances

Emergency situations justifying immediate action without a warrant.

Automobile Exception

Established by Carroll v. U.S. (1925), allows searches of vehicles without a warrant under certain conditions.

Plain View Doctrine

Officers may seize evidence that is clearly visible from a lawful position (Coolidge v. N.H., 1971).

Stop and Frisk Requirement

Requires reasonable suspicion (Terry v. Ohio, 1968).

Consent for Search

Valid when it is voluntary and from someone with authority (O’Connor v. Ortega, 1987).