Criminal law and procedure for the paralegal

CRIMINAL LAW

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FOR THE PARALEGAL

A SYSTEMS APPROACH

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CRIMINAL LAW

AND PROCEDURE

FOR THE PARALEGAL

A SYSTEMS APPROACH

Third Edition

James W. H. McCord, J. D.

Eastern Kentucky University

Sandra L. McCord, M. A.

Australia Canada Mexico Singapore Spain United Kingdom United States

WEST LEGAL STUDIES

CRIMINAL LAW AND PROCEDURE

A SYSTEMS APPROACH 3E

James W. H. McCord and Sandra L. McCord

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McCord, James W. H.

Criminal law and procedure for the

paralegal: a systems approach/James W. H.

McCord and Sandra L. McCord—3rd ed.

p. cm.—(West Legal studies)

ISBN-13 978-1-4018-6564-1

ISBN-10 1-4018-6564-X

1. Criminal law—United States.

2. Criminal procedure—United States.

3. Legal assistants—United States—

Handbooks, manuals, etc. I. McCord,

Sandra L. II. Title. III. Series.

KF9219.3.M33 2005

345.73—dc22

2005010804

To our son

Quinten James McCord

with love

This page intentionally left blank

CONTENTS

TABLE OF EXHIBITS xix

TABLE OF CASES xxi

PREFACE xxxv

1 FOUNDATIONS OF CRIMINAL LAW 3

I. INTRODUCTION 4

II. OVERVIEW OF THE LEGAL SYSTEM 4

A. Rule of Law 4

B. The Constitution 4

C. Separation of Powers 5

D. Police Power 5

III. CRIMINAL LAW 6

A. Purpose of Criminal Law 6

B. Sources of Criminal Law 7

C. Model Penal Code 8

D. Administrative Crime 8

E. International Crime 8

F. Change in the Criminal Law 9

G. Divisions of Criminal Law 9

H. Due Process 9

I. Classification of Crimes 9

IV. PUNISHMENT AND CRIMINAL LAW 10

A. Introduction 10

B. Retribution 10

C. Deterrence 11

D. Rehabilitation 12

V. CRITICAL REASON AND CRIMINAL LAW 13

VI. THE DILEMMA OF CRIME IN A FREE SOCIETY 15

VII. CRIME IN THE UNITED STATES 15

A. Current State of Crime 15

B. Reasons for Drop in Crime 16

C. Special Concerns: Present and Future 16

vii

VIII. PRACTICAL CONSIDERATIONS FOR THE STUDY OF CRIMINAL

LAW 17

A. The Significance of Studying Criminal Law 17

B. About This Text: Applying State Law 18

C. The System Folder 18

IX. SAMPLE CASES 18

A. Case I 19

B. Case II 19

C. Case III 19

D. Case IV 20

E. Case V 20

F. Case VI 21

X. CONCLUSION 21

2 ADMINISTRATION OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE

AND THE ROLE OF THE PARALEGAL 27

I. INTRODUCTION 28

II. LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES 28

III. PROSECUTORIAL AGENCIES 29

IV. DEFENSE BAR 30

V. CORRECTIONS AGENCIES 30

VI. CRIMINAL COURT SYSTEM 31

A. Court Structure 31

B. Jurisdiction 31

C. Criminal Procedure 32

VII. PROFESSIONAL ETHICS IN CRIMINAL LAW PRACTICE 36

A. Introduction 36

B. Adversary System 36

C. Role of the Prosecutor 37

D. Role of the Defense Attorney 38

E. Role of the Judge 40

VIII. ROLE OF THE PARALEGAL 41

A. Paralegal Tasks in Criminal Law Offices 41

B. Paralegal Ethical Responsibilities 42

C. Other Professional Considerations 45

D. Professional Development 45

IX. CONCLUSION 46

3 COMPONENTS OF A CRIME 51

I. INTRODUCTION 52

II. HARM OR LIKELY HARM: THE CLASSIFICATION

OF CRIMES 52

III. ACTUS REUS 53

A. Introduction 53

B. Voluntary and Involuntary Acts 53

C. Omissions 54

D. Possession 55

E. Status 56

IV. MENS REA 56

A. Introduction 56

B. Model Penal Code Definitions 57

viii ■ Contents

C. General, Specific, and Transferred Intent 59

D. Concurrence 59

E. Strict Liability 59

V. CAUSATION 61

A. Introduction 61

B. Foreseeable Consequences 62

C. Supervening or Superseding Causes 62

VI. COMPLICITY 63

A. Introduction 63

B. Parties to Crimes 63

C. Actus Reus in Complicity 64

D. Mens Rea in Complicity 65

E. Abandonment 66

VII. VICARIOUS AND CORPORATE LIABILITY 67

A. Introduction 67

B. Vicarious Liability 67

C. Corporate Liability 68

VIII. CONCLUSION 71

4 CRIMES AGAINST PERSONS AND CRIMES

AGAINST HABITATION 77

I. INTRODUCTION 78

A. Elements of Crimes 78

B. Lesser Included Offense 78

II. CRIMES AGAINST PERSONS 79

A. Introduction 79

B. Homicide 80

C. Assault and Battery 93

D. Civil Rights Violations 104

E. Sexual Battery 105

F. Criminal Abuse 116

G. Kidnapping, False Imprisonment, and Custodial Interference 119

III. CRIMES AGAINST HABITATION 123

A. Introduction 123

B. Arson 123

C. Vandalism 125

D. Burglary 125

IV. CONCLUSION 128

5 CRIMES AGAINST PROPERTY, PUBLIC ORDER

AND SAFETY, PUBLIC MORALS, AND JUSTICE

AND PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION 137

I. INTRODUCTION 138

II. CRIMES AGAINST PROPERTY 138

A. Introduction 138

B. Larceny 138

C. Embezzlement 141

D. False Pretenses or Fraud 142

E. Bad Checks 144

F. Receiving Stolen Property 144

Contents ■ ix

G. Forgery and Uttering a Forged Instrument 144

H. Robbery 145

I. Extortion 148

J. Consolidated Theft 149

K. Cybercrimes 152

L. White-Collar Crime 154

III. CRIMES AGAINST PUBLIC ORDER AND SAFETY 158

A. Introduction 158

B. Terrorism 159

C. Disorderly Conduct 160

D. Riot 161

E. Vagrancy and Loitering 161

F. Endangering Public Health and Environment 162

G. Use and Distribution of Firearms 163

IV. CRIMES AGAINST PUBLIC MORALS 164

A. Introduction 164

B. Nonviolent Sexual Conduct 164

C. Gambling 169

D. Drug Offenses 169

V. CRIMES AGAINST JUSTICE AND PUBLIC

ADMINISTRATION 172

A. Introduction 172

B. Bribery 172

C. Perjury 173

D. Obstruction of Justice 174

E. Resisting Arrest 174

F. Escape 174

G. Contempt of Court 175

VI. CONCLUSION 175

6 INCHOATE AND ORGANIZED CRIMES 185

I. INTRODUCTION 186

II. ATTEMPT 187

A. Introduction 187

B. Mens Rea in Attempt 187

C. Actus Reus in Attempt 189

D. Defenses to Attempt 192

III. CONSPIRACY 193

A. Introduction 193

B. Mens Rea in Conspiracy 194

C. Actus Reus in Conspiracy 195

D. Defenses to Conspiracy 199

E. Hearsay Exception 200

F. Problems with Conspiracy 203

IV. SOLICITATION 205

V. RACKETEERING INFLUENCED AND CORRUPT

ORGANIZATIONS (RICO) 206

A. Introduction 206

B. RICO Elements 206

C. Extent of Control 207

D. RICO Conspiracy 207

E. State Organized Crime Statutes 207

VI. CONTINUING CRIMINAL ENTERPRISE (CCE) 207

x ■ Contents

VII. CRIMINAL GANGS 210

VIII. CONCLUSION 211

7 DEFENSES 219

I. INTRODUCTION 220

A. Types of Defenses 220

B. Effective Level of Defense 220

C. Burden of Proof 220

II. CONSTITUTIONAL AND STATUTORY DEFENSES 221

A. Introduction 221

B. Freedom of Religion 221

C. Freedom of Expression 222

D. Freedom of Assembly 223

E. Double Jeopardy 223

F. Substantive Due Process 225

G. Right to Privacy 226

H. Statute of Limitations 227

III. JUSTIFICATION 227

A. Introduction 227

B. Self-Defense 228

C. Defense of Third Persons 232

D. Defense of Property 233

E. Resisting Unlawful Arrest 233

F. Execution of Public Duties 233

G. Parental Discipline Justification 234

IV. EXCUSE 234

A. Introduction 234

B. Duress 234

C. Necessity 235

D. Entrapment 236

E. Insanity 238

V. MISSING ELEMENTS 244

A. Introduction 244

B. Actus Reus as a Missing Element 244

C. Mens Rea as a Missing Element 245

D. Consent 248

VI. SYNDROMES 249

VII. CONCLUSION 250

8 INTAKE AND DRAFTING THE COMPLAINT 259

I. INTRODUCTION 260

II. INTAKE PROCEDURE 260

A. Introduction 260

B. Preparing for Intake 260

C. The Interview 264

D. Counseling the Victim 267

III. DECISION TO CHARGE 268

A. Authority, Limits, and Immunity from Civil Suit 268

B. Joinder of Offenses and Defendants 270

IV. DRAFTING THE COMPLAINT 272

A. Drafting from the Intake Form 272

B. Drafting from the Police Report 273

Contents ■ xi

V. SUMMONS AND WARRANT 274

A. Summons 274

B. Arrest Warrant 275

C. E-Filing and Monitoring 275

D. Checklist for Drafting and Filing the Summons and Warrant 276

VI. DOCKET TRACKING 276

VII. CONCLUSION 277

9 SEARCH AND SEIZURE 307

I. INTRODUCTION 308

II. SCOPE OF THE FOURTH AMENDMENT 309

A. State Action 309

B. Reasonable Expectation of Privacy 309

III. WARRANT REQUIREMENTS 317

A. Issuance: Probable Cause, Neutrality, Particularity 317

B. Execution of the Warrant 320

C. Warrant Subsequent to Search: Independent Source 325

D. Officer Liability and the Fourth Amendment 325

IV. EXCEPTIONS TO THE REQUIREMENT FOR A WARRANT 325

A. Introduction 325

B. Arrest 326

C. Stop and Frisk (Investigatory Detention) 330

D. Search Incident to Lawful Arrest 332

E. Plain View 333

F. Motor Vehicle Searches 334

G. Hot Pursuit 339

H. Evanescent Evidence 339

I. Border, Regulatory, and Emergency Searches 340

J. Consent Searches 345

K. Inevitable Discovery 348

L. Community Caretaking Function 348

V. ELECTRONIC SURVEILLANCE AND THE PATRIOT ACT 351

VI. SECRET AGENTS 353

VII. THE EXCLUSIONARY RULE 354

VIII. CONCLUSION 357

10 CONFESSIONS AND PRETRIAL IDENTIFICATION

PROCEDURES 363

I. INTRODUCTION 364

II. THE FIFTH AMENDMENT PRIVILEGE AGAINST SELF￾INCRIMINATION 364

A. Introduction 364

B. Who Is Protected by the Right

Against Self-Incrimination? 365

C. In What Kinds of Hearings May the Right be Exercised? 366

D. What Is Incriminating Testimony? 366

E. When Can Incriminating Testimony be Compelled? 366

F. How Far Does a Waiver of the Right Extend? 368

G. When Is Evidence Testimonial? 368

III. CONFESSIONS AND INTERROGATION: MIRANDA 368

A. Introduction 368

xii ■ Contents

B. Miranda 376

C. Issues Miranda Left Unanswered 377

D. Effect of Denial of Right to Counsel (Massiah) and Harmless

Error 385

E. Challenging a Confession 386

F. The Paralegal’s Role 386

IV. LINEUPS, ONE-ON-ONE SHOW-UPS, AND PHOTO

IDENTIFICATIONS 388

A. Introduction 388

B. The Right to Counsel at Pretrial Identification 389

C. Due Process and Pretrial Identifications 389

V. CONCLUSION 390

11 PRETRIAL: INITIAL APPEARANCE

TO PRELIMINARY HEARING 399

I. INTRODUCTION 400

II. INITIAL APPEARANCE 400

A. Introduction 400

B. Notice of Rights and Determination of Indigency 400

C. Bail 402

D. Initial Appearance: Paralegal’s Role 404

III. PRETRIAL DETENTION 409

A. Conditions of Confinement 409

B. Duty to Confirm Identity of Detainee 409

C. Terrorism and Detention Issues 409

D. Rocket Dockets 410

IV. INTERVIEWING 410

A. Introduction 410

B. Interviewing the Defendant 410

C. Interviewing Witnesses 416

D. Ethical Considerations 417

E. Dealing with the Difficult Client 417

F. Interview Summaries 418

V. OTHER PRELIMINARY INVESTIGATION AND PREPARATION 419

A. Defense 419

B. Prosecution 419

C. Preparing Questions for the Preliminary Hearing 420

VI. PRELIMINARY HEARING 421

VII. EXTRADITION 423

VIII. CONCLUSION 423

12 PRETRIAL: GRAND JURY TO PRETRIAL

CONFERENCE 437

I. INTRODUCTION 438

II. GRAND JURY AND INDICTMENT 438

A. Introduction 438

B. Composition 438

C. Powers 439

D. Autonomy and Secrecy 440

E. Procedure 440

Contents ■ xiii

F. The Paralegal’s Role: Prosecution 441

G. The Paralegal’s Role: Defense 442

III. THE INFORMATION 444

IV. ARRAIGNMENT 444

A. Introduction 444

B. The Paralegal’s Role 445

V. DISCOVERY 446

A. Introduction 446

B. The Law on Discovery 446

C. Exculpatory Evidence 447

D. Discovery Procedure and the Paralegal’s Role 448

VI. OTHER INVESTIGATION 451

VII. PRETRIAL MOTIONS 452

A. Introduction 452

B. Procedure 452

C. Common Pretrial Motions 452

VIII. NOTICE OF DEFENSES 454

IX. PLEA BARGAINING 455

X. THE RIGHT TO A SPEEDY TRIAL 457

XI. PRETRIAL CONFERENCE 458

XII. CONCLUSION 458

13 TRIAL: RIGHTS, PROCEDURE, TASKS 481

I. INTRODUCTION 482

II. TRIAL RIGHTS 482

A. The Right to a Jury Trial 482

B. The Right to Counsel 483

C. The Rights of Presence and Confrontation 484

D. The Right to Present Witnesses, to Testify, or Not to Testify 486

III. FAIR TRIAL VERSUS FREE PRESS AND PUBLIC ACCESS 486

IV. THE PARALEGAL’S ROLE IN PREPARATION FOR TRIAL 487

A. Introduction 487

B. The Trial Notebook 487

C. Preparation of Client and Witnesses 488

D. Trial Materials 488

V. TRIAL PROCEDURE AND THE PARALEGAL’S ROLE 489

A. Voir Dire 489

B. Opening Statements 493

C. The Prosecution’s Case and the Presentation of Evidence 493

D. Defense Cross-Examination of Prosecution’s Witnesses 499

E. Motion for Judgment of Acquittal 499

F. Defendant’s Case in Chief 500

G. Prosecution’s Rebuttal and Defendant’s Rejoinder 500

H. Motion for Judgment of Acquittal or Directed Verdict 500

I. Jury Instruction Conference 501

J. Closing Arguments 501

K. Judge’s Instructions to the Jury 502

L. Jury Deliberation 502

M. Jury Verdict and Polling 504

VI. POSTTRIAL MOTIONS 504

A. Purpose 504

B. Types of Posttrial Motions 504

VII. CONCLUSION 505

xiv ■ Contents