CHAPTER8
CRIME
TODAYINTHENEWS CHAPTER8 ThepopularonlinesocialnetworkingsiteFacebookhelpedlead toanallegedburglarsarrestafterhestoppedcheckhis accountonthevictimscomputer,butforgottologoutbefore leavingthehomewithtwodiamondrings. JonathanG.Parker,19,ofFortLoudoun,Pa.,wasarraigned Tuesdayonecountoffelonydaytimeburglary. Thevictimtoldpolicethatsomeonehadbrokenintoherhome throughabedroomwindow. Therewereopencabinetsinhergarage,andothersignsofa burglar. Thevictimlaternoticedthattheintruderalsousedhercomputer tocheckhisFacebookstatus,andhisaccountwasstillopen whenshecheckedthecomputer.
STUPIDCRIMINALS STUPIDCRIMINALS
CRIME,SOCIETYANDLAW CRIME,SOCIETYANDLAW
Criminalbehaviorextendsfarbeyondthe streetcrimethatisfodderfortelevision dramaswhitecollarcrimehasagreater economicimpactthanstreetcrime.Criminal lawdiffersinimportantwaysfromcivillaw, thesubjectofmostofthetext:thestate prosecutesthewrongdoer,thewrongdoercan facelengthyimprisonmentordeath,andrights embeddedintheConstitutionprotect individualsaccusedbythestateofcriminal behavior.
CRIME,SOCIETYANDLAW CRIME,SOCIETYANDLAW
CivilLaw/CriminalLaw
Mostofwhatwehaveconsideredsofarhasbeencivillaw Conductiscriminalwhensocietyoutlawsit Prosecution
JuryRight
Thegovernmentprosecutescrimes
Punishment
Acriminaldefendanthasarighttoatrialbyjuryforanychargethatcouldresultin asentenceofsixmonthsorlonger Governmentasksthecourttofindthedefendantguiltyofthecrime Thegovernmentwantsthedefendantpunished Iffoundguiltycourtwillimposefines/prisonsentence Ifcourtisnotconvincedofguilt,defendantwillbeacquitted Afelonyisaseriouscrime,forwhichadefendantcanbesentencedtooneyearor moreinprison Amisdemeanorisalessseriouscrime,oftenpunishablebyayearorlessincounty jail.
Felony/Misdemeanor
CivilLawvs.CriminalLaw CivilLawvs.CriminalLaw
Civillawconcernstherightsandliabilities betweenprivateparties;criminallawconcerns thoseactivitiesthatsocietyhasoutlawed.
Procedureforcriminaltrialgovernment decideswhethertoprosecute;defendanthas therighttoajurytrial. Inacriminalsuit,thecourtdeterminesthe guilt,sothatapunishmentcanbegiven. Afelonyisaseriouscrime,withasentenceof oneyearormoreinprison.Amisdemeanoris lessserious,oftenwithasentenceoflessthan ayear.
CRIME,SOCIETYANDLAW CRIME,SOCIETYANDLAW
Punishment
Restraint
Deterrence
Aviolentcriminalwhoappearslikelytocommitmorecrimesmust bephysicallyrestrained Recidivismistheactofapersonrepeatinganundesirable behavioraftertheyhaveeitherexperiencednegativeconsequences ofthatbehavior,orhavebeentreatedortrainedtoextinguishthat behavior.Itisalsoknownasthepercentageofformerprisoners whoarerearrested. Specificdeterrenceisintendedtoteachthisdefendantthatcrime carriesaheavypricetag,inthehopethathewillneverdoitagain Generaldeterrenceisthegoalofdemonstratingtosociety generallythatcrimemustbeshunned
CRIME,SOCIETYANDLAW CRIME,SOCIETYANDLAW
Retribution
Givethecriminalwhatheorshedeserves Vengeanceisaconceptrelatedtoretribution
Rehabilitation
Trainingsothatthecriminalmayreturntoanormallife
CRIME,SOCIETYANDLAW CRIME,SOCIETYANDLAW
TheUnitedStatesDepartmentofJusticetrackedtherearrest,re conviction,andreincarcerationofformerinmatesfor3yearsafter theirreleasefromprisonsin15statesin1994.Keyfindingsinclude: Releasedprisonerswiththehighestrearrestrateswererobbers (70.2%),burglars(74.0%),larcenists(74.6%),motorvehiclethieves (78.8%),thoseinprisonforpossessingorsellingstolenproperty (77.4%),andthoseinprisonforpossessing,using,orsellingillegal weapons(70.2%). Within3years,2.5%ofreleasedrapistswerearrestedforanotherrape, and1.2%ofthosewhohadservedtimeforhomicidewerearrestedfor homicide.Thesearethelowestratesofrearrestforthesamecategory ofcrime. The272,111offendersdischargedin1994hadaccumulated4.1million arrestchargesbeforetheirmostrecentimprisonmentandanother 744,000chargeswithin3yearsofrelease.
CRIME,SOCIETYANDLAW CRIME,SOCIETYANDLAW
FormercriminalsrosetobecomesomeofAmerica'sgreatestleadersin law,industry,andpolitics.Thispossibilityseemstobenarrowingas criminalrecordsbecomeelectronicallystoredandaccessible. Certainorganizationsarecurrentlyworkingtowardslowering recidivismratesthroughthereintegrationofexdetaineesintosociety byhelpingthemobtainwork,teachingthemvarioussocietalskills,and byprovidingallaroundsupport.
CRIME,SOCIETYANDLAW CRIME,SOCIETYANDLAW
TheProsecutionsCase
ConductOutlawed
Mustshowtocourtthatdefendantsconductisinfactoutlawed Thegovernmentmustproveitscasebeyondareasonabledoubt Theguiltyact Theprosecutionmustprovethatthedefendantvoluntarily committedaprohibitedact
BurdenofProof
ActusReus
CRIME,SOCIETYANDLAW CRIME,SOCIETYANDLAW
MensRea
Aguiltystateofmind Whatstateofmindmustbeprovenvariesbasedonthecrime GeneralIntent
SpecificIntent
Thedefendantintendedtodotheprohibitedphysicalaction(theactusreus) Formostcrimestheprosecutionprovescriminalintentbyprovingthatthe defendantcommittedtheforbiddenact.Forexample,inMillerstrialfor criminalassaultforsmashingabeerbottleoverBudshead,theprosecution provesMillersintentbyprovingthathepurposelypickedupthebottleandhit Budwithit.Theprosecutionneednotprovewhatwasactuallygoingonin Millersmind. Mustshowthatthedefendantwillfullyintendedtodosomethingbeyondthe physicalact Criminalrecklessnessmeansconsciouslydisregardingasubstantialriskof injury Criminalnegligencereferstogrossdeviationsfromreasonableconduct Theprosecutionmustonlyproveactusreus Ifdefendantdidtheact,thenheorsheisguilty
RecklessorNegligentConduct
StrictLiability
Cheekv.UnitedStates(1991)
CRIME,SOCIETYANDLAW CRIME,SOCIETYANDLAW
Defenses
Insanity
Adefendantwhocanprovethathewasinsaneatthetimeofthe criminalactwillbedeclarednotguilty MNaughtenRule
Bieberv.People(1993) JuryRole
Defendantmustshow Hesufferedaserious,identifiablementaldiseaseandthat becauseofit Hedidnotunderstandthenatureofhisactordidnotknowthat itwaswrong Juriesarereluctanttoacquitbasedoninsanity Surprisingly,mostdefendantsacquittedbyreasonofinsanityspend moretimeinamentalhospitalthanconvictsspendinprisonforthe sameact
Bieberv.Peoplep.178 Bieberv.People
Facts:DonaldBieberwalkeduptoatruckinwhichWilliamElliswassittingand shotEllis,whomhedidnotknow,inthebackofhishead.HethrewEllissbody fromthetruckanddroveaway.Shortlybeforeandafterthekilling,Bieber encounteredvariouspeopleindifferentplaces.HesangGodBlessAmericaand theMarineHymntothemandtoldthemhewasaprisonerofwarandwasbeing followedbycommunists.HesaidhehadkilledacommunistonWarMemorial Highway.Thepolicearrestedhim. Bieberhadalonghistoryofdrugabuse,includingamphetamines,anddealt drugsasanadult.Severalyearsbeforethehomicide,Bieberfearedhewouldhurt someoneandvoluntarilyenteredahospitalfortreatmentformentalimpairment. Hewaslaterreleasedintoalongtermdrugprogram. Bieberwaschargedwithfirstdegreemurder.Hepleadednotguiltyby reasonofinsanity.Anexpertwitnesstestifiedthathewasinsane,sufferingfrom amphetaminedelusionaldisorder(ADD),arecognizedpsychiatricillness resultingfromlongtermuseofamphetaminesandcharacterizedbydelusions.At trial,Biebersattorneyarguedthathewasnotintoxicatedatthetimeofthecrime butthathewasinsaneduetoADD.ThetrialcourtrefusedtoinstructthatBieber couldbelegallyinsaneduetoADD,andthejuryfoundBieberguiltyoffirstdegree murder.Heappealed. YouBetheJudge:MayajuryfindthatadefendantwithADDislegallyinsane?
Bieberv.Peoplep.178 Bieberv.People
Holding:ThecourtaffirmedBiebersconviction.Theargumentforthestate,which
appearsinthetext,comesnearlyverbatimfromthecourt'sdecision. Question:IfthecourthadreversedtheconvictionwouldBieberhavegonefree? Answer:No.Therewouldhavebeenanothertrialinwhichhecouldpleadinsanitytoajury. Question:Supposeadefendantgoestoabar,getsblinddrunk,andthengoesoutandrobsa store.Ishisintoxicationadefensetotherobbery? Answer:No.Inmoststates,voluntaryintoxicationisnodefensetoacrime.Somestates mayadmitvoluntaryintoxicationasevidencethatthedefendantcouldnotformthespecific intentnecessaryforcertaincrimes.Forexample,adefendantchargedwithassaultwithintent tokillmightseektodemonstrateadegreeofintoxicationthatpreventedhisformingtheintent tomurder.ThisisaseparateissuefromthegeneralpointthecourtmakesinBieber: intoxicationisgenerallynodefense. Question:Sincevoluntaryintoxicationisnotadefensetoacrime,whydoesBiebereven bothertoraisehisdruguse? Answer:Bieberacknowledgesthatvoluntaryintoxicationisnodefense.Heisnotarguing thathewasintoxicated.Heisattemptingtomakeadifferentdefense.
Bieberv.Peoplep.178 Bieberv.People
Question:Whatdoesdrugusehavetodowithinsanity? Answer:Bieber'sargumentisthatprolongeddruguselefthimafflictedwithADD,an establishedpsychiatricailment. Question:HalfthekidsIwenttoschoolwithwerediagnosedwithADD!Thatqualifies themforaninsanitydefense? Answer:No.DontconfuseAttentionDeficitDisorderwithAmphetamineDelusional Disorder. Question:WhydidntBiebersargumentpersuadethecourt? Answer:Becausehisdrugusewasvoluntary.Whatevermentaldiseaseitcaused,Bieber broughtituponhimselfthroughhisyearsofamphetamineabuse. Question:ButheprobablydidntknowhedwindupwithADDwhenhestartedtotake amphetamines,sohowcanhismentaldiseasebevoluntary? Answer:ItdoesnotmatterthathedidnotknowADDmightbearesultofhisdruguse. Thereisareasonsomedrugsareillegaltheyarebadforyou.Ifyouabuseillegaldrugsthen thelawprobablywillnotexcuseyoufromwhateveractionsyoutakeaftersufferingtheir effects.
CRIME,SOCIETYANDLAW CRIME,SOCIETYANDLAW
Entrapment
Whenthegovernmentinducesthedefendanttobreakthelaw,the prosecutionmustprovebeyondareasonabledoubtthathe defendantwaspredisposedtocommitthecrime Jacobsonv.UnitedStates(1992) thedefenseofduressapplieswhentheaccusedhasa(1)reasonable apprehensionthat(2)theaccusedoranotherinnocentperson would(3)immediatelysufferdeathorseriousbodilyinjuryifthe accuseddidnotcommittheact;areasonableapprehensiondoes notexistiftheaccusedhasanyreasonableopportunitytoavoid committingtheactwithoutsubjectinghimselforanotherinnocent persontotheharmthreatened
Duress
CRIMESTHATHARMBUSINESS CRIMESTHATHARMBUSINESS
Larceny
Fraud
Thetrespassorytakingofpersonalpropertywiththeintenttostealit Trespassorytakingmeanssomeoneelseoriginallyhastheproperty Fraudreferstovariouscrimes,allofwhichhaveacommonelement:deception ofanotherpersonforthepurposeofobtainingmoneyorpropertyfromhim Wirefraudandmailfraudinvolvetheuseofinterstatemail,telegram, telephone,radio,ortelevisiontoobtainpropertybydeceit Insurancefraudisanothertypeoffraud Medicarefraudincludesusingfalsestatements,bribes,orkickbackstoobtain Medicarepaymentsfromthefederalorstategovernment
Arson
Themalicioususeoffireorexplosivestodamageordestroyanyrealestateorpersonal property Itisbothafederalandastatecrime
CRIMESTHATHARMBUSINESS CRIMESTHATHARMBUSINESS
OnMarch12,2009,BernardMadoffpleaded guiltyto11federaloffences,including securitiesfraud,wirefraud,mailfraud,money laundering,andperjury,andmakingfalse filingswiththeSEC.Hisguiltypleacamein responsetoacriminalcomplaintfiledtwo daysearlier,whichstatedMadoffhad defraudedhisclientsofalmost$65billionin whatitdescribedasthelargestPonzischeme inhistory.
CRIMESTHATHARMBUSINESS CRIMESTHATHARMBUSINESS
Embezzlement
Thefraudulentconversionofpropertyalreadyin thedefendantspossession
ComputerCrime
Arapidlygrowingareaofcrimethatcanhave devastatingconsequencesforbusinesses Identitytheft
ComputerCrimeStatutes
TheComputerFraudandAbuseAct prohibitsusingacomputertocommittheft, espionage,trespass,fraudanddamageto anothercomputer. TheAccessDeviceFraudActoutlaws themisuseofcards,codes,account numbers,etc. TheIdentityTheftandAssumption DeterrenceActbarstheuseoffalse identificationtocommitfraudorother crime. TheWireandElectronic CommunicationsInterceptionAct makesitacrimetointerceptmostwire,oral andelectroniccommunications.
IdentityTheft
IdentityTheftusingsomeoneelses personalinformationtogainaccessto theirfinancialaccounts.
Thiscrimeisgrowingexplosively. Thievesstealpersonalinformationfrom
companyfiles,finditingarbageormailor obtainitthroughfraudulentmeans. Thievesmayopennewaccounts,drain currentaccountsanduseyournamein policeinvestigations. Victimsshouldnotifypolice,credit bureaus,theFederalTradeCommission, andallaccountproviders.
UnitedStatesv.Dragonp.184 UnitedStatesv.Dragon
Facts:DragonandDurhamwerestoppedbyofficersaftertheofficerreceivedacomplaint aboutablackLexus,andthenobservedablackLexusdrivingerratically.Afterpullingthe carover,theofficerquestionedDurhamabouttheMacysbagsinthebackseat.Duringthe questioning,Durhamchangedhisstoryaboutthebags.DragonandDurhamwerearrested afteracheckrevealedthattheybothhadtwooutstandingwarrants.Asearchofthecar revealedthefollowing:severalfakeNewYorkStatenondriveridentificationcardswith picturesofDurhamandDragon,butusingdifferentnames;recordsfromMountSinaiMedical Centerlistingnamesthatmatchedthoseontheidentificationcards,plusaddresses,birthdate, andsocialsecuritynumbers;receiptsfromMacysinNewJersey,NewYork,and Pennsylvania;nineteenboxesofTimberlandboots;fiveMacysshoppingbagscontaining newmerchandise;twocellularphones,andtwentyeightsmallglassinebags.Dragon confessedtoaschemewherebyDurhamobtainedpersonalinformationfrompatientsatMount Sinaihospital,andtheybothobtainedfalseidentificationcardsusingthepatientinformation. Thepairthemusedtheidentificationcardstochargemerchandiseandgiftcardstothereal accountholdersatMacysstoresinNewJersey,NewYork,andPennsylvania. ShalonDragonwasconvictedofidentitytheft,andsentencedto44monthsinprison.He appealedclaimingthesentencewastooharsh. Issue:DidDragonsidentitytheftwarrantthissentence?
UnitedStatesv.Dragonp.184 UnitedStatesv.Dragon
Holding:Yes,judgmentaffirmed.TheDistrictCourtimposeda44 monthsentence,notingthecomplexityoftheschemeandtheharmcaused tovictimsofidentitytheft.AlthoughthecourtacknowledgedDragons requestformorelenientsentence,inimposingthehighersentencethe courtemphasizedDragonslonghistoryoffraudulentcriminalconduct andthefactthatDragonhadbeengivenasecondchancebyvarious courtsoverandoveragain.Becauseofhisfailuretotakeadvantageof thisleniency,theDistrictCourtthoughtitwasnecessarytosentence Dragontoaserioustermofimprisonment. TheCourtofAppealsalsonotedthatbasedontherecord,itwasclearthat theDistrictCourtgavecarefulconsiderationtothehighersentence,andthe Appellatemustaffordthatdecisiongreatdeferencebecausethetrialcourt isinthebestpositiontodeterminetheappropriatesentence.
UnitedStatesv.Dragonp.184 UnitedStatesv.Dragon
Question:WillthecourtorderDragontorepaythevictimsofhiscrime? Answer:Thecourthasthepowertoorderrestitution.Wedontknow whetheritdidinthiscase,and,inanyevent,restitutionisonlyeffectiveif thecriminaldefendanthasthemoneytopayit. Question:Whydidthecourtmakeapointofsayingthatthetrialcourt wasinthebestpositiontoimposeasentenceinhiscase? Answer:BecauseAppellatecourts,likethecourtinthiscase,donothear testimony.Theybasetheirdecisionsontherecordofthetrial,thebriefsof thelawyers,andtheiroralargument.Thetrialcourtheardfirsthandallof thewitnesstestimonyandotherevidence.Basedonthis,thetrialcourtis inabetterpositiontomakedecisionsaboutthefactsofthecase.
CrimesCommittedbyBusiness
Ifsomeonecommitsacrimewithinthe scopeofhisemploymentandtobenefit thecorporation,thecompanyisliable. Punishment
downthecompanytemporarilyor permanently.
Finesappropriatesincethishurtstheprofit. Imprisonment?yes,inthesenseofclosing
Complianceprogramsifacompanyhas avalid,functioningplantopreventand detectcriminalbehavior,thejudgemust (accordingtoFederalSentencing Guidelines)reducethepenaltyofacrime ofanemployee.
Facts:BrainGauthierwasanexperiencedtruckdriverwhoworkedfor Todesca,apavingcompany.Gauthiernoticedthatthebackupalarmon thetruckhewasdrivingwasbroken.Hereportedittothecompany,and themechanicrealizedthatthealarmneededtobeplaced,buttherewere noneinstock.ThecompanytoldGauthiertocontinuedrivingthetruck withoutthealarm. Aboutamonthlater,GauthierandotherTodescadriversweredelivering asphalttoaworksiteatanentrancetoamall.Apoliceofficerdirected malltrafficandtheconstructionvehicles.Thetruckshadtobackthrough theintersection.Alloftheothertruckershadbackupalarms.Whenit wasGauthiersturntobackup,hestruckandkilledtheofficer. Thestatechargedthecompanywithmotorvehiclehomicide.Thejury foundthecompanyguiltyandthejudgeimposedafineof$2,500. Issue:Couldthecompanybeguiltyofmotorvehiclehomicide?
Commonwealthv.AngeloTodesca Commonwealthv.AngeloTodesca Corp.p.185
Commonwealthv.AngeloTodesca Commonwealthv.AngeloTodesca Corp.p.185
Holding:Yes,convictionaffirmed.Accordingtothecourt,inordertofindacorporationguilty,the wasactingonbehalfofTodescaatthetimehecommittedthecriminalact. CommonwealthmustprovethatGauthierwasinapositiontoactonbehalfofthecorporation,andthathe Todescaarguesthatacorporationcanneverbefoundguiltyofmotorvehiclehomicidebecausea corporationcannotoperateamotorvehicle.However,bythatlogic,accordingtothecourt,a corporationwouldneverbeguiltyofanycrime.Onlyhumanagents,actingonbehalfofthecorporation, arecapableofoperatingamotorvehicle.Nevertheless,thecourthasconsistentlyheldthatacorporation maybecriminallyliablefortheactsofitsagents,iftheagentsareactingwithinthescopeoftheir employmentandonbehalfofthecorporation. Here,itclearthatthebackupalarmonGauthierstruckwasnotworkingproperlyatthetimeofthe collision.Althoughanalarmisnotrequiredbylaw,Todescassafetypolicyrequiresalarmsonallofits trucks.Gauthiersviolationofthissafetypolicyisnegligent,forwhichTodescacouldbeheldliable. Also,Todescaspolicywastoinstallbackupalarmsonallofitstrucks.TheotherTodescatrucksatthe sitehadworkingalarms.Thejurycouldhaveinferredthatthevictim,aveteranpoliceofficer,knewthat Todescaspolicywastohavebackupalarmsontheirtrucks,andthatthevictimexpectedtohearthealarm whenthetruckbackedup. ThejurycouldalsohaveinferredthatanalarmonGauthierstruckwouldhavealertedthevictimthatthe truckwasmovinginreverseintimeforthevictimtohavegottenoutoftheway,andthatthevictimdid notrealizeGauthierstruckwasbackingupbecausehedidnothearthealarm.
CrimesCommittedbyBusiness
OccupationalSafetyandHealthAct
OSHAsetsstandardsforsafetyinthe
RacketeerInfluencedandCorrupt OrganizationAct
withaseriesofillegalacts.
workplace. AstatemaysetstandardstougherthanOSHA.
Createsbothcivilandcriminallawliabilities.
Isaimedatorganizedcrimethoseinvolved
MoneyLaunderingusingtheprofitsof criminalactstopromotemorecrimeor concealinganillegalsourceofmoney.
Commonlyassociatedwiththeillegaldrug
trade.
RICO
CRIMESCOMITTEDBY CRIMESCOMITTEDBY BUSINESS
TheRacketeerInfluencedCorruptOrganizationsAct(RICO)is oneofthemostpowerfulandcontroversialstatuteseverwritten Designedinitiallytodealwithorganizedcrime Expandedtoordinarybusinesses Createsbothcivilandcriminallawliabilities Governmentcanprosecuteindividualsandorganizations Plaintiffscanrecovertrebledamages(threetimestheharmactually suffered) RICOprohibitsusingtwoormoreracketeeringactstoaccomplish anyofthesegoals:(1)investinginoracquiringlegitimate businesseswithcriminalmoney;(2)maintainingoracquiring businessesthroughcriminalactivity;or(3)operatingbusinesses throughcriminalactivity.
CRIMESCOMITTEDBY CRIMESCOMITTEDBY BUSINESS
TwostepprocessforaRICOcase
Mustshowthedefendantcommittedtwoormoreracketeeringacts, whicharealonglistofspecifiedcrimes(embezzlement,arson,mail fraud,wirefraud,andsoforth) Mustshowthatthedefendantusedtheseracketeeringactsto accomplishoneofthethreepurposesalreadydiscussed
MoneyLaundering
Moneylaunderingconsistsoftakingtheproceedsofcertain criminalactsandeither(1)usingthemoneytopromotecrime,or (2)attemptingtoconcealthesourceofthemoney Environmental,Antitrust,SecuritiesFradu
OtherCrimes
UnitedStatesv.Kennardp.189 UnitedStatesv.Kennard
Facts:ThereverendAbrahamKennardbilkedhundredsofchurchesoutof millionsofdollarsthroughaphonygrantscheme.AbrahamcreatedtheNetwork InternationalInvestmentCorporationandthenapproachedchurchesandother nonprofitswithanoffer:forevery$3,000inmembershipfeesthatanorganization paidtotheNetwork,theNetworkwouldaward$500,000ingrants.Abrahamtold investorsthatthegrantswerepossiblebecausehehadsecuredwealthyinvestors whowouldprovidefinancing,andthattheNetworkexpectedtoearnaprofitfrom itsChristianresorts.Morethan1,600churchesandothernonprofitspaidAbraham over$8.7million. Abrahamdepositedthemoneyintoanescrowaccountinthenameofhislawyer, andthentransferredthemoneyintoanotheraccountinthenameofPromotional TimesInternational,Ltd.,whichwascontrolledbyAbrahamsbrotherLaboyce Kennard. TheinvestorsneverreceivedtheirmoneyandAbrahamwasfoundguiltyofvarious crimes.Laboycewasfoundguiltyofmoneylaundering.Heappealed,arguing therewasinsufficientproofthatheknowinglylaunderedmoney.
Issue:WastheresufficientevidencethatLaboyceknowinglylaunderedmoney?
UnitedStatesv.Kennardp.189 UnitedStatesv.Kennard
Holding:Yes,convictionaffirmed.Laboyceclaimsthattherewasnotenoughevidenceforajurytofind beyondareasonabledoubteithertheexistenceofacriminalagreementorhisknowingparticipationinit. ToconvictLaboyceonthemoneylaunderingconspiracycharge,theprosecutionhadtoprovethatsome agreementexistedtolaundertheproceedsofAbrahamsfraudscheme,andthatLaboyceknowingly participatedinthatagreement.TheextentofLaboycesknowledgeofthedetailsintheconspiracydoes notmatteriftheprosecutioncanshowthatheknewtheessentialobjectivesoftheconspiracy. TherewassufficientevidencetoprovethatLaboyceknowinglyparticipatedintheagreementtolaunder theproceedsfromAbrahamsfraud.LaboycesetupthePromotionalaccountandmadelargedepositsto thataccountofcashierschecksfromAbrahamandchecksdrawnontheescrowaccount.Laboycemade mostofthewithdrawalsfromthePromotionalaccountincludingcashierschecksmadepayableto Abraham. LaboycewasalsoinvolvedinNetworkevents.Forexample:LaboycewentwithAbrahamtoaNetwork meetinginCharlotte,NorthCarolineatwhichAbrahamgaveNetworkmembersfakechecksinsteadofthe promisedgrantmoney;LaboycevideotapedAbrahamatafakegroundbreakingceremonyforaNetwork resortwhichwasusedtoholdoffmembercomplaints;LaboyceworkedsecurityataNetworkmeeting whereAbrahamtoldthememberstheirgrantswouldbedelayedagain;andLaboycewaspresentata meetingwhereAbrahamtoldhimthatanFBIinvestigationoftheNetworkledtoaseizureoftheescrow account. Thisevidence,accordingtothecourt,wasenoughforajurytofindbeyondareasonabledoubtthat Laboyceknowinglyparticipatedintheconspiracytolaundertheproceedsofthefraud.
ConstitutionalProtections
Nomatterwhatcrimeasuspectisaccused of,theConstitutionoftheUnitedStates offersprotectionagainstinhumane treatmentandensurescertainhuman rights. Theproceduresbywhichasuspectis investigated,arrested,interrogatedand triediscontrolledbytheBillofRights. Almostallimportantcriminalprocedure rightshavebeenexpandedbeyondthe federalgovernmenttolawenforcementat thestateandlocallevel.
TheCriminalProcess
CONSTITUTIONAL CONSTITUTIONAL PROTECTIONS
Informant
Warrant
Peoplemaycomeforwardtolawenforcement Maysignanaffidavit(awrittenstatementsignedunderoath) Asearchwarrantiswrittenpermissionfromaneutralofficial,such asamagistrate,toconductasearch Awarrantmustspecifywithreasonablecertaintytheplacetobe searchedandtheitemstobeseized Warrantwillbeissuedonlyifthereisprobablecause Probablecausemeansthatbasedonalloftheinformation presenteditislikelythatevidenceofcrimewillbefoundinthe placementioned
ProbableCause
CONSTITUTIONAL CONSTITUTIONAL PROTECTIONS
SearchandSeizure
Thesearchmaynotexceedwhatisdescribedinthe warrant Arrestwarrantsmaybeissuedaswell Bookingname,photographandfingerprintsare enteredinalog,alongwiththecharges Defendantisentitledtoapromptbailhearing Atwaterv.LagoVista,Texas(2001)
Arrest
CONSTITUTIONAL CONSTITUTIONAL PROTECTIONS
Indictment
Grandjurygroupofordinarycitizens,likeatrialjury,butthe grandjuryholdshearingsforseveralweeksonlotsofdifferent cases Itisthegrandjurysjobtodetermineifthereisprobablecausethat thisdefendantcommittedthecrimewithwhichsheischarged Anindictmentisthegovernmentsformalchargethatthe defendantcommittedacrimeandmuststandtrial Defendantbroughttocourtandchargesreadagainstthem Pleaentered
Arraignment
CONSTITUTIONAL CONSTITUTIONAL PROTECTIONS
Discovery
Motiontosuppress
Lessformalthaninaciviltrial Ifthedefenseclaimsthattheprosecutionobtainedevidenceillegally,it willmovetosuppressit Amotiontosuppressisarequestthatthecourtexcludecertainevidence becauseitwasobtainedinviolationoftheConstitution Anagreementbetweenprosecutionanddefensethatthedefendantwill pleadguiltytoareducedcharge,andtheprosecutionwillrecommendto thejudgearelativelylenientsentence Similartoaciviltrial Beyondareasonabledoubt Appellateprocessissimilartothecivilappealsprocess
PleaBargaining
TrialandAppeal
CONSTITUTIONAL CONSTITUTIONAL PROTECTIONS
TheFourthAmendment
TheFourthAmendmentprohibitsthegovernmentfrommakingillegalsearchesand seizures Ingeneral,thepolicemustobtainawarrantbeforeconductingasearch
Plainviewtheevidenceisnotconcealed. StopandFriskmaysearchasuspectifthereisgoodreasontobelievehemaybearmed. Emergenciessuchasinachase;suspectmaybesearched. Automobilesiflawfullystoppedforotherreasons,andevidenceisvisible,policemay searchentirecar. Lawfularrestanyonearrestedmaybesearched. Consentifconsentisgivenbythelawfuloccupantofthehome,policemaysearchit.
Therearesixsituationsinwhichpolicemaysearchwithoutawarrant.
AsearchWITHawarrantisunlawful, if:
Therewasnoprobablecause.
FourthAmendment
ExclusionaryRule
Thewarrantdidnotspecifyplaceoritems.
Itextendedbeyondthescopeofthewarrant. Evidenceobtainedillegally(withoutawarrant
orimproperlyobtainedwithawarrant)maynot beusedattrialagainstthevictimofthesearch. Thepurposeoftheexclusionaryruleistomake surethatthepolicefollowproperprocedures whenconductingasearch.
CONSTITUTIONAL CONSTITUTIONAL PROTECTIONS
ExclusionaryRule
Undertheexclusionaryrule,evidenceobtainedillegally maynotbeusedattrialagainstthevictimofthesearch Willuseamotiontosuppress Evidencemaybeexcluded Exceptions
Inevitablediscovery Goodfaithexception
CONSTITUTIONAL CONSTITUTIONAL PROTECTIONS
Question:Howcanitpossiblymakesensetoexcludelegitimateevidencebecausea policeofficermadeamistakeingettingawarrant?Aren'twelettingthecriminalgofree becausetheconstableblundered? Answer:TheSupremeCourthascreatedtheexclusionaryruleasajudicialremedyto protectallcitizensfrompotentialpoliceabuse.Thetheoryisthatifthepoliceknowin advancethatillegallyseizedevidencecannotbeusedattrial,theywillhavenomotiveto obtainsuchevidence,andwillgoabouttheirinvestigationslawfully. Question:DoestheSupremeCourtthinkthatallpolicewanttoabusetheaverage citizen? Answer:No.Whatthecourthassaid,bycraftingtherule,isthatoneofthemost valuablethingsthereisaboutlivinginademocraticsocietyistheabilitytolivewithout fearingthepolice.Weshouldbeabletosleepatnightwithoutworryingthatourdoors willbesmashedin. Question:Thedifferencebetweenalawfulsearchorarrestandanunlawfuloneisoften awarrant.Whatissospecialaboutawarrant? Answer.Thewarrantrequirementmeansthatthepolicemustobtainthepermissionofa neutralpersonbeforeconductingmostsearchesormakingmostarrests.Becausethe policearechargedwithresponsibilitytoinvestigatecrimes,theymayhaveavested interestinconductinginvestigationsasaggressivelyaspossible.Thewarrant requirementmeansthatsomeonewhohasnopersonalinterestintheinvestigationmust firstbeconvincedthatthereisprobablecausetosearchsomepremisesormakeanarrest.
CONSTITUTIONAL CONSTITUTIONAL PROTECTIONS
Question:Whatmighthappeniftherewasnorequirementforprobablecause? Answer:Forexample,policemightreasonthatacertainpercentageofstudentsata largeuniversityuseillegaldrugs,andthatthereforeitwouldbeprofitabletostakeoutthe campusandsearcheveryonewhoentersit.Evenifonlyatinypercentageofstudentsare carryingdrugs,itmightproveagoodwaytocatchcriminals.Theproblemisthatallof theinnocentpeoplewouldbeforcedtoendureperiodicsearches. Question:Whatiswrongwithbeingsearchedifyoudon'thaveanythingtohide? Answer:Beingsearchedisbydefinitioninvasive.Somepeoplemightnotmindit, buttherearemanywhodonotwanttofeelthattheyliveinapolicestate.Also,toallow policetosearchwithoutawarrantistogivethemtremendouspower,whichsome officersmightabuse.Forexample,aparticularpolicemanmightchoosetosearchonly minorities,orwomen,orstudents,orthoselivinginaparticularneighborhood.Oursis supposedtobeasocietyregulatedbylaw,notbypersonal,policepower. Question:Howmanypeoplegofreebecauseoftheexclusionaryrule? Answer:Veryfew.Asthetextreports,moststudieshaveshownthatlessthan1percent ofthoseprosecutedgofreebecauseevidenceisexcluded.Courtsdenythegreatmajority ofmotionstosuppress,andinthosefewcaseswheretheyareallowed,theprosecution generallyhasadditionalevidencesufficienttoconvict.
PassedafterSept.11attacks;givespolice greatersearchandinvestigativepowers.
Opponentsclaimitalsothreatensprivacyand
ThePatriotActof2001
individualfreedoms.
Thecourtsarefacingquestionsaboutthe legitimacyofthePatriotAct.
Onecourtallowedthegovernmenttousesecret
evidenceagainstanorganizationsuspectedof terroristactivity. Anothercourtstruckdownaprovisionofthe Actthatwouldhaveallowedthegovernmentto seizerecordsfromcommunicationsservice providerssuchasphoneandinternetcompanies, withoutawarrantandwithoutnotifying
FifthAmendmentProtections FifthAmendmentProtections
TheFifthAmendment
DueProcess
Requiresfundamentalfairnessatallstagesofthecase Prosecutionmustdiscloseevidencefavorabletothedefendant Lineupshavetobereasonable Acriminaldefendantmaybeprosecutedonlyonceforaparticular criminaloffense Barsthegovernmentfromforcinganypersontotestifyagainst himself
DoubleJeopardy
SelfIncrimination
FifthAmendmentProtections FifthAmendmentProtections
Miranda
InMirandav.ArizonatheSupremeCourtruledthataconfession obtainedfromacustodialinterrogationmaynotbeusedagainsta defendantunlesshewasfirstwarnedofhisFifthAmendment rights Custodialinterrogationmeansthatthepolicehavepreventedthe defendantfromleaving(usuallybearrestinghim)andareasking himquestions Defendantmustbetold
ExclusionaryRule
Righttoremainsilent Anythinghesayscanbeusedagainsthimattrial Hehastherighttoalawyer;and Ifhecannotaffordalawyer,thecourtwillappointoneforhim Ifwarningsarentgiven,confessionisexcluded
OTHERCONSTITUTIONAL OTHERCONSTITUTIONAL PROTECTIONS
TheSixthAmendment
Guaranteestherighttoalawyeratallimportantstagesof thecriminalprocess Lawyermustbeappointedifonecannotbeafforded
Prohibitscruelandunusualpunishment. Capitalpunishmenthasbeencontroversialunderthisamendment. Threestrikeslawshavecreatedsituationswhereapunishmentis excessiveforthecrime. Forfeiture(forcedlossofproperty)hasbeenallowedunderthis amendment,buttheallowableamounthasnotbeenset.
TheEighthAmendment
EwingvCaliforniap.199
Facts:Californiapassedathreestrikeslaw,dramatically increasingsentencesforrepeatoffenders.Adefendantwith twoormoreseriousconvictions,whowasconvictedofathird felony,hadtoreceiveanindeterminatesentenceoflife imprisonment.Suchasentencerequiredthedefendantto actuallyserveaminimumof25years,andinsomecasesmuch more. GaryEwing,onparolefroma9yearprisonterm,stolethree golfclubsworth$399each,andwasprosecuted.Becausehe hadpriorconvictions,thecrime,normallyamisdemeanor, wastreatedasafelony.Ewingwasconvictedandsentenced to25yearstolife.Heappealed,claimingthatthesentence violatedtheEighthAmendment. Issue:DidEwingssentenceviolatetheEighthAmendment?
EwingvCaliforniap.199
Holding:No.ExcerptsfromJusticeOConnorsopinion:
WhentheCaliforniaLegislatureenactedthethreestrikeslaw,itmadeajudgmentthatprotectingthepublic safetyrequiresincapacitatingcriminalswhohavealreadybeenconvictedofatleastoneseriousorviolent crime.TheEighthAmendmentdoesnotprohibitCaliforniafrommakingthatchoiceandprecedent establishesthatStateshaveavalidinterestindeterringandsegregatinghabitualcriminals. Accordingtoarecentreport,approximately67percentofformerinmatesreleasedfromstateprisonswere chargedwithatleastone"serious"newcrimewithinthreeyearsoftheirrelease.Inparticular,released propertyoffenderslikeEwinghadhigherrecidivismratesthanthosereleasedaftercommittingviolent, drug,orpublicorderoffenses. Criticshavedoubtedthelaw'swisdom,costefficiency,andeffectivenessinreachingitsgoals.This criticismisappropriatelydirectedatthelegislature,whichhasprimaryresponsibilityformakingthe difficultpolicychoicesthatunderlieanycriminalsentencingscheme. Inimposingathreestrikessentence,theState'sinterestisnotmerelypunishingtheoffenseofconviction, orthe"triggering"offense:itisinadditiontheinterestindealinginaharshermannerwiththosewhoby repeatedcriminalactshaveshownthattheyaresimplyincapableofconformingtothenormsofsocietyas establishedbyitscriminallaw.Ewing'ssentenceisjustifiedbytheState'spublicsafetyinterestin incapacitatinganddeterringrecidivistfelons.Ewinghasbeenconvictedofnumerousmisdemeanorand felonyoffenses,servednineseparatetermsofincarceration,andcommittedmostofhiscrimeswhileon probationorparole.Ewingssentence,albeitalongone,reflectsarationallegislativejudgment,entitledto deference,thatoffenderswhohavecommittedseriousorviolentfeloniesandwhocontinuetocommit feloniesmustbeincapacitated.