Exam 17: Preparing the Case for Court

Police officers should always appear in court in conservative business suits.

Who is usually responsible for serving the subpoenas for the prosecution in a criminal case?

Failing to tell the prosecutor about tests performed on the murder weapon that came out negative:

The police should release information about the case to the media:

If the police want to talk to the defendant between the arraignment and the trial they:

Officer Anderson arrested Bonnie for extorting $50,000 from Carl, her former boss, by threatening to tell his wife that they were having an affair. During her investigation, Officer Anderson collected the following evidence: · Statement from Carl that he wrote a check to Bonnie for $5,000 on the first of the month from July 2012 to April 2013 (10 months) because she threatened to tell his wife they were having an affair. · Copies of accounting records showing that 10 checks were made out to Bonnie on the payroll account of Carl's business. · Statement from David who claims he overheard a conversation between Bonnie and Carl at the End Zone Bar on February 3, 2013, while he was watching the Super Bowl Game. David claims he heard Bonnie tell Carl, "If you are ever late with the check again I will call her. Just imagine how much a divorce will cost you!" David admits that he drank a lot of beer while watching the game. Officer Anderson is presenting the case to Erin, the prosecutor who will decide whether to file charges. What would influence Erin to file a lesser charge than extortion?

The police should advise the prosecutor of all of the facts known to them that might affect the credibility of a witness.

The police can make a valid arrest on ample probable cause and still not have sufficient evidence to convict the suspect.

Discuss how a police department should deal with reporters.

Officer Anderson arrested Bonnie for extorting $50,000 from Carl, her former boss, by threatening to tell his wife that they were having an affair. During her investigation, Officer Anderson collected the following evidence: · Statement from Carl that he wrote a check to Bonnie for $5,000 on the first of the month from July 2012 to April 2013 (10 months) because she threatened to tell his wife they were having an affair. · Copies of accounting records showing that 10 checks were made out to Bonnie on the payroll account of Carl's business. · Statement from David who claims he overheard a conversation between Bonnie and Carl at the End Zone Bar on February 3, 2013, while he was watching the Super Bowl Game. David claims he heard Bonnie tell Carl, "If you are ever late with the check again I will call her. Just imagine how much a divorce will cost you!" David admits that he drank a lot of beer while watching the game. Officer Anderson is presenting the case to Erin, the prosecutor who will decide whether to file charges. Erin told Officer Anderson to obtain copies of the checks that Carl wrote. Officer Anderson should:

Preservation and storage of the evidence is the responsibility of the prosecutor assigned to the case.

Explain the investigating officer's duties regarding trial witnesses.

The "chain of custody" for the gun that was the murder weapon includes:

The officer who takes the case to the prosecutor should be prepared to:

Officer Sanders is a new police officer and has been subpoenaed to testify for the first time. She needs some advice. While walking from the parking lot to the courthouse Thomas, a reporter, stopped Officer Sanders. With his microphone in her face and his camera crew filming the interview, Thomas said "Isn't it true that you found a huge quantity of cocaine in the defendant's car but the judge threw it out and imposed a gag order?" What should Officer Sanders say?

When deciding what charges to file, the prosecutor is concerned with:

If an item of evidence is not in the courtroom when a witness is testifying about it:

Detective Gage is preparing an attempted murder case against Helen for trial. He has reviewed all of the police reports with Ian, the prosecutor. They have decided to call the following witnesses to testify at trial: · Kevin, an eye witness to the crime who now lives out of state · Lauren, an eye witness who lives near the courthouse How should Lauren be notified about the court appearance?

Officer Sanders is a new police officer and has been subpoenaed to testify for the first time. She needs some advice. The judge called a recess after Officer Sanders testified. Ursula, a juror who was standing outside the courthouse smoking a cigarette, stopped Officer Sanders as she walked toward the parking lot. Ursula asked her, "I was listening to what you said, but I don't think they asked the right questions. Do you think he is guilty?" What should Officer Sanders say?

Officers should answer questions as rapidly as possible so the jury will be impressed with their knowledge of the case.