Criminal Procedure for Forensic Science - Exam 3 Review

A set of flashcards covering key terms and concepts from the 'Criminal Procedure for Forensic Science' lecture notes for Exam 3.

Search Warrant

A legal document authorizing enforcement to conduct a search of a specific place.

Open Fields Doctrine

No reasonable expectation of privacy outside curtilage, therefore not protected by the Fourth Amendment.

Abandoned Property

Property that is voluntarily discarded is not protected by the Fourth Amendment.

Curtilage Theory

The area immediately surrounding a dwelling that is considered private.

Vehicle Searches

Searches conducted on vehicles, subject to different legal standards than other searches.

Plain View Doctrine

Law enforcement may seize evidence of a crime without a warrant if it is clearly visible.

Carroll Doctrine

Allows warrantless searches of vehicles if there is probable cause to believe they contain evidence of a crime.

Probable Cause

Reasonable grounds for believing that a crime may have been committed.

U.S. v. Ross

Established that police can search the trunk of a car with probable cause.

California v. Acevedo

Police may search the entire automobile and all containers within it if they believe evidence may be present.

Pretext Stop

A traffic stop initiated for a minor violation but conducted to investigate other suspicions.

Interdiction Protocol

Method whereby officers conduct traffic stops to question about potential drug trafficking.

Suspicionless Searches

Searches that do not require probable cause, such as at borders or airports.

Inventory Searches

Searches conducted to catalog items in a vehicle for safekeeping or record-keeping.

GPS Trackers

Devices for monitoring vehicle location, analyzed under the expectation of privacy framework.

Slap-on Installation

Attaching a GPS tracker to a vehicle without further intrusion.

Hard Wired GPS

A GPS attachment that requires intrusion into the vehicle, necessitating a warrant.

Roadblocks

Law enforcement checks that are constitutional when random and for a legitimate purpose.

Racial Profiling

Discriminatory practice where individuals are targeted based on race.

Stop and Frisk

A limited search for weapons based on reasonable suspicion, permitted by Terry v. Ohio.

Terry v. Ohio

Supreme Court case establishing guidelines for stop and frisk procedures.

Plain Feel Doctrine

Allows officers to seize non-threatening contraband discovered during a lawful frisk.

Exclusionary Rule

Prohibits evidence obtained through unconstitutional means from being used in court.

Fruit of the Poisonous Tree Doctrine

Evidence obtained from an unconstitutional search cannot be used against a defendant.

Inevitable Discovery

Doctrine stating that evidence would have been found regardless of a constitutional violation.

Independent Source Doctrine

Allows evidence to be admitted if obtained from an independent source.

Judicial Mistake

An error by a judge that may affect the application of the exclusionary rule.

Interrogations

Processes involving questioning of suspects to obtain incriminating statements.

Miranda v. Arizona

Supreme Court case that established the requirement for Miranda warnings before custodial interrogation.

Custody Definition

A situation where a suspect is not free to leave and is subject to interrogation.

Functional Equivalent

Situations where an interrogation takes place outside formal settings yet requires Miranda warnings.

Miranda Warning Requirements

Includes right to remain silent, right to an attorney, and notification that anything said can be used against them.

Rhode Island v. Innis

Case where police comments inadvertently led a suspect to reveal the location of a firearm.

Brewer v. Williams

Case involving police discussions that led a suspect to confess and reveal the location of a body.

Voluntary Confessions

Confessions made freely without coercion or manipulation by law enforcement.

Coercion

Forcing someone to act against their will or judgment, undermining voluntary confessions.

Psychological Manipulation

Using deceptive tactics to elicit confessions from suspects.

Terry Search

A stop and frisk search based on reasonable suspicion of criminal activity.

Legitimate Law Enforcement Purpose

A valid reason behind police actions, such as traffic stops or checkpoints.

Diminished Expectation of Privacy

Less protection for privacy in vehicles, allowing for broader searches.

Random Roadblocks

Police stops conducted in a non-discriminatory manner to check for compliance.

Traffic Violation

Illegal act committed while operating a vehicle.

Rationale for Vehicle Searches

The reasoning behind the ability to search vehicles based on their mobility and visibility.