Criminal Procedure Outline

Vocabulary flashcards covering key legal principles and cases related to Criminal Procedure.

Police Investigatory Techniques

Methods used by law enforcement to gather information including questioning people, searching places, and identification procedures.

Constitutional Hierarchy

The system that outlines the supremacy of the U.S. Constitution over state laws and constitutions.

Supremacy Clause

A clause in the U.S. Constitution stating that federal law takes precedence over state laws.

Exclusionary Rule

A legal principle that excludes evidence obtained in violation of the defendant's constitutional rights.

Probable Cause

A standard of reasonable belief that is based on specific facts, necessary for law enforcement to make an arrest or conduct a search.

Reasonable Suspicion

A lower standard than probable cause, it refers to the belief based on specific and articulable facts that a person may be involved in criminal activity.

6th Amendment

An amendment guaranteeing the rights of criminal defendants, including the right to a fair trial and an attorney.

4th Amendment

An amendment protecting against unreasonable searches and seizures and establishing the need for warrants based on probable cause.

Due Process Clause

Part of the 14th Amendment that prohibits states from denying life, liberty, or property without legal proceedings.

Gideon v. Wainwright

A Supreme Court case that established the right to counsel for defendants in criminal cases, even if they cannot afford an attorney.

Kansas v. Carr

A Supreme Court ruling emphasizing that states cannot reinterpret constitutional rights established by the Supreme Court.

Mapp v. Ohio

A landmark case that extended the exclusionary rule to state courts.

Self-Incrimination

The act of exposing oneself to prosecution by making a statement in criminal proceedings.

Miranda Rights

Rights that must be stated to a suspect, including the right to remain silent and the right to an attorney.

Terry Stop

A brief detention of a person by law enforcement on reasonable suspicion of involvement in criminal activity.

Field Interrogation

Police questioning of an individual in a public place based on reasonable suspicion.

Showup Identification

A one-on-one identification procedure where a witness is asked to identify a suspect shortly after a crime.

Lineup Identification

A procedure where several individuals are displayed to a witness to identify a suspect.

Exigent Circumstances

Situations that allow law enforcement to enter a premises without a warrant due to immediate danger or the potential loss of evidence.

Good Faith Exception

A legal doctrine allowing for the admission of evidence obtained from a search warrant later found to be invalid, if the officers acted under the reasonable belief that the warrant was valid.

Totality of Circumstances

A legal standard that considers all factors relevant to a particular situation in evaluating issues such as probable cause.

Incorporation Doctrine

The legal principle that extends the protections of the Bill of Rights to state governments through the Fourteenth Amendment.

Private Searches

Situations where searches conducted by private individuals do not violate the Fourth Amendment unless acting as government agents.

Consensual Searches

Searches conducted when an individual voluntarily agrees to allow police to search their person or property.

Unreasonable Searches

Searches that violate the Fourth Amendment, which protects against unreasonable searches and seizures.

Statutory Regulations

Laws enacted by legislatures to regulate specific activities, including searches and the criminal justice process.

Search Warrant

A legal document authorizing police to search a specified location and seize evidence.

Police Authority

The legal power granted to law enforcement officers to enforce laws, conduct searches, and make arrests.

Credibility Assessments

The evaluation of a witness's or law enforcement officer's trustworthiness and reliability in legal proceedings.

Assessment of Standing

The legal determination of whether a party has the right to challenge a search or seizure based on their own rights.

Involuntariness of Confessions

The legal principle that confessions obtained through coercion or without following legal guidelines are inadmissible in court.

Judicial Review

The process by which courts examine the actions of the legislative and executive branches to determine if they are constitutional.

Trial Procedure

The legal processes that govern how a trial is conducted, including the presentation of evidence and witness testimony.

Witness Corroboration

Evidence that supports or confirms the testimony or identification of a witness in legal proceedings.

Non-Custodial Interrogation

Questioning that occurs when a suspect is free to leave and not considered under arrest.

Standards for Searches

The legal thresholds that must be met to conduct lawful searches, including probable cause and consent.

Eyewitness Testimony

Statements made by individuals who observed an event or crime, often used as evidence in court.

Informant Reliability

The degree of trustworthiness and credibility assigned to an informant's information for law enforcement purposes.