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grand jury
a large jury, normally of twenty three citizens, that determines if there is enough evidence to charge a defendent with a crime.
note: citizens have the right to a grand jury, (ask if people can as for a grand jury). The word is from the frend word for large. Done in secret and only the prosecutor presents evidence
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Petit Jury
A trial jury of six to twelve citizens, that decide the facts in a civil or criminial case
- Note: from the french word "small".
- This jury determines a persons guilt
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Indictment
Formal criminal charge issued by a grand jury when a prosecutor has evidence for a trail
Note: if the grand jury has enough evidence it will issue a "true bill" not enough evidence of a crime "no true bill". The grand jury has the power to returna "presentment" a charge of a crime without the prosecutor.
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Information
A sworn statement by a prosecutor that he has enough evidence for a trial
Note: Used instead of a g.j. by the prosecutor. Both defendent and prosecutor present their cases before a judge.
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Double Jeopardy
Cannot be tried twice for the same offense once acquitted.
Note: Began in Greek and Roman law. Refers to an early American practice of cutting off ears or damaging limbs. Dome clauses that meets criteria for trying someone more than once. Pg. 166
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Self Incrimination
Compelling or making someone to testify against himself or is called taking the fifth.
Note: Was used during the senator Joseph McCarthy communism hearings
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Inquisitions
Questioning accused persons under oath to determine their guilt
Note: Because of inquisitions in England people especially in the U.S. started pleading the fifth
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Accusations
Forcing the government to prove its case through evidence
Note: Coerced confessions are also a violation of the 5th amendment
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Volunteeriness
Confessions must truly be volunteered
Note: Miranda vs. Arizona (1966) a defendent must know their rights in order to waive them. The FBI already did this so state and local police had to do the same, see page 168
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Fruit of the poisonuos tree
Any evidence that the police discover prior to the police reading the Miranda statement is excluded as evidence.
Note: Miranda protects the defendent against coercion not deception, Illinois vs. Perkins (1990).
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Immunity
The government grants immunity from prosescution, but the person must testify if requested.
Note: 2 types of immunity: "total"-a person cannot be prosecuted at all or "use"-immunity, in which the government may prosecute the witness based on evidence discovered independently of the testimony
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Read Ernesto Miranda case on page 169
Miranda was the reason the reading of the Miranda Rights when people get arrested, pg 168
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Nontestimonial evidence
defendant might have to produce blood samples, fingerprints, or handwriting exemplars, but the government cannot force a person to take a lie detector
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Due process of law
5th amendment; restricts what governemnt can do, 14th amendment restricts what states can do.
It has roots come from the Magna Carta of 1215, which limited King John's power of his nobles.
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what are the 2 categories of "due process of law"
substantive- the Supreme Court determines the content of a law to determine whether it violates fundamental rights not specifically mentioned in the constitution.
Procedural-the government must follow fair procedures in both criminal and civil cases, in order to safegaurd the individual against the power of the state.
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the goverments power to take private property for public use.
eminent domain.
also called the Just Compensation Clause. The very first Supreme Court case based on the Bill of Rights, Barron vs. Baltimore (1833).
Most of the highways, damns, railroads was built through eminent domain. Under the 5th amendment "taking" property must be for public use.
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