Criminal Litigation PDF

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2021/22

Criminal Litigation Exam Notes – – – – – – –

Merits Test Criminal Process & PCR Police Powers Interviews, Confessions, Exclusion of Evidence Bail, Plea Before Venue & Allocation Evidence Sentencing & Appeals

TABLE OF CONTENTS OFFENCES WE NEED TO KNOW FOR THE EXAM....................................................................... 4 THE MERITS TEST........................................................................................................................... 5 THE CRIMINAL LITIGATION PROCESS ......................................................................................... 7 THE PROCEDURAL OUTLINE OF THE CRIMINAL PROCESS ....................................................................... 7 CASE MANAGEMENT AND CRIMINAL PROCEDURE RULES ..................................................................... 7 BASICS OF CRIMINAL LITIGATION ......................................................................................................... 9 PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT & REGULATION ............................................................................. 10 DUTY TO THE COURT ......................................................................................................................... 10 MISLEADING THE COURT: EXAM PLAN ......................................................................................................... 10 DUTY TO THE CLIENT ......................................................................................................................... 12 THIRD PARTY INSTRUCTIONS ............................................................................................................. 12 THIRD PARTY INSTURCTIONS: RULES .......................................................................................................... 12 THIRD PARTY INSTRUCTIONS: EXAM PLAN .................................................................................................. 13 CONFLICTS OF INTEREST ................................................................................................................... 14 CONFLICTS OF INTEREST: RULES ............................................................................................................... 14 CONFLICTS OF INTEREST: EXAM PLAN ........................................................................................................ 14 CONFIDENTIALITY AND DISCLOSURE .................................................................................................. 16 PUBLIC FUNDING ............................................................................................................................... 16 POLICE POWERS: SEARCH, ARREST, DETENTION ................................................................. 18 GENERAL RULES AND DEFINITIONS .................................................................................................... 18 POLICE RANKS & POWERS & RESPONSIBILITIES ................................................................................. 18 STOP AND SEARCH (S.1 PACE) ........................................................................................................ 18 1. HAS A STOP AND SEARCH TAKEN PLACE? ............................................................................................... 18 2. WERE THERE REASONABLE GROUNDS?.................................................................................................. 19 3. WERE THE CORRECT STEPS TAKEN BEFORE AND AFTER THE SEARCH? .................................................... 19 4. CAN THE RESULTS OF THE SEARCH BE USED AS EVIDENCE IN A TRIAL? .................................................... 20 ARREST WITHOUT WARRANT (S.24 PACE) .......................................................................................... 21 IS THE ARREST LAWFUL? ........................................................................................................................... 21 ARRIVAL AT THE POLICE STATION .............................................................................................................. 21 DETENTION (CODE OF PRACTICE C) ................................................................................................... 22 PROCEDURE UPON ARRIVAL AT THE POLICE STATION .................................................................................. 22 FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS WHILE IN POLICE CUSTODY .................................................................................... 22 The right to have someone notified when arrested .............................................................................................................22 The right to consult privately with a solicitor at any time .....................................................................................................23

REVIEWS OF DETENTION ........................................................................................................................... 24 LENGTH OF DETENTION WITHOUT CHARGE (THE DETENTION CLOCK) ......................................................... 24 SAMPLES .......................................................................................................................................... 25 INTIMATE SAMPLES ................................................................................................................................... 25 NON-INTIMATE SAMPLES ........................................................................................................................... 25

INTERVIEWS, SILENCE, CONFESSIONS & EXCLUSION OF EVIDENCE ................................. 27 INTERVIEWS AND THE RIGHT TO SILENCE ........................................................................................... 27 PROCEDURE OF LAWFUL INTERVIEWS ........................................................................................................ 27 THE RIGHT TO SILENCE AND ADVERSE INFERENCE ..................................................................................... 27 Structure of Answers (DEAD) .............................................................................................................................................27

Key: Legislation/Codes; Cases; Statute book page reference

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S.36 AND

37 CJPOA ................................................................................................................................ 29 CONVICTION ............................................................................................................................................. 30 CONFESSIONS AND EXCLUSION OF EVIDENCE .................................................................................... 30 CONFESSIONS & EXAM PLAN ..................................................................................................................... 30

BAIL, PLEA BEFORE VENUE & ALLOCATION ........................................................................... 33 BAIL ................................................................................................................................................. 33 1. RIGHT TO BAIL...................................................................................................................................... 33 2. ANTICIPATE THE EXCEPTIONS + SUBSTANTIAL GROUNDS THE PROSECUTION ARE GOING TO ARGUE ......... 33 3. EXPLAIN HOW YOU WOULD COUNTER THE PROSECUTION’S ARGUMENTS .................................................. 34 4. COULD YOU OFFER BAIL CONDITIONS? ................................................................................................... 35 REFUSAL OF BAIL ..................................................................................................................................... 36 CONSEQUENCES OF ABSCONDING .............................................................................................................. 36 ALLOCATION AND PLEA BEFORE VENUE............................................................................................ 37 STARTING POINT: OFFENCE CATEGORIES ................................................................................................... 37 PLEA BEFORE VENUE ............................................................................................................................... 37 ALLOCATION ............................................................................................................................................. 37 Allocation (p.72 & 73 handout)............................................................................................................................................37 Pros/Cons of Crown Court and Summary Trial...................................................................................................................38

EVIDENCE ...................................................................................................................................... 39 ADMISSIBILITY .................................................................................................................................. 39 GENERAL RULE ........................................................................................................................................ 39 THE INADMISSIBILITY AND EXCLUSION OF EVIDENCE .................................................................................... 39 OPINION EVIDENCE ................................................................................................................................... 40 CHARACTER EVIDENCE – GOOD CHARACTER FOCUS .................................................................................. 40 COMPETENCE AND COMPELLABILITY ................................................................................................. 41 IDENTIFICATION EVIDENCE................................................................................................................. 42 STEP 1: DO THE TURNBULL GUIDELINES APPLY? ......................................................................................... 42 STEP 2: AS PER TURNBULL, WHAT WARNING MUST THE JUDGE GIVE? ........................................................... 42 STEP 3: IS IT GOOD OR BAD ID? ................................................................................................................. 42 STEP 4: CONCLUDE AND EXPLAIN JUDGE’S OPTIONS ................................................................................... 43 SENTENCING AND APPEALS ...................................................................................................... 44 SENTENCING ..................................................................................................................................... 44 NEWTON HEARINGS .................................................................................................................................. 44 CUSTODIAL SENTENCES ............................................................................................................................ 44 1. The Custody Threshold...................................................................................................................................................44 2. Length of Imprisonment ..................................................................................................................................................44 3. Aggravating Factors ........................................................................................................................................................45 4. mitigating factors .............................................................................................................................................................46 5. Sentencing Guidelines ....................................................................................................................................................46 SUMMARY OF SENTENCING ........................................................................................................................ 46 APPEALS .......................................................................................................................................... 47 APPEAL FROM MAGISTRATES COURT TO CROWN COURT ............................................................................ 47 CROWN COURT TO THE COURT OF APPEAL CRIMINAL DIVISION (CRPR PART 39)......................................... 47 ONWARD APPEAL ...................................................................................................................................... 48 ATTORNEY-GENERAL REFERENCES ........................................................................................................... 48

Key: Legislation/Codes; Cases; Statute book page reference

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OFFENCES WE NEED TO KNOW FOR THE EXAM Note these are all triable either way (so can be tried on summary or indictment), or indictable and recordable offences: •

Theft in breach of trust: p.306 o Aggravating & mitigating factors: p.310

•

Theft from a shop: p.312 o Aggravating & mitigating factors: p.316

•

Domestic burglary: p.245-248 o Aggravating & mitigating factors: p.247

•

GBH/Unlawful Wounding: p.213-216 o Aggravating & mitigating factors: p.215

•

ABH: p.221-224 o Aggravating & mitigating factors: p.223

•

Supplying a controlled drug/ Possession of a controlled drug with intent to supply: p.264-270 o Aggravating and mitigating factors: p.269

Key: Legislation/Codes; Cases; Statute book page reference

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THE MERITS TEST The merits test is detailed in the Access to Justice Act 1999 Schedule 3 and is set out in the form known as a CRM 14 which is the application for Legal Aid in criminal proceedings 1. What charges have been brought against you o Any alterative charges should be stated here if they apply and relayed in full detail including section and statute o E.g. for theft, the amount taken, the circumstances surrounding the allegation, whether it was from a shop or as a breach of trust 2. Do you have any co-defendants in this case? o The court wants to know if there is a risk of a wasted costs order being made o Whether there would be a conflict of interests between the defendants if all were represented by the same solicitor 3. Is it likely I will lose my liberty? o ‘likely’ has been argued as meaning a ‘real and practical one’: R (on the application of Sonn and Co.) v West London Magistrates’ Court o Consider attaching the previous convictions or stating the offences described; the date of the conviction and the sentence imposed 4. Is it likely I will lose my livelihood? o If the defendant pleads guilty and requires representation to convey mitigation that will avoid a penalty interfering with employment, this needs to be argued here 5. Is it likely I will suffer serious damage to my reputation? o ‘serious’ – is the person a professional? A primary school teacher? o What is the nature of the allegation? 6. A substantial question of law may be involved o Identify an issue of law rather than fact o Is there a question regarding admissibility? Breach of PACE? Case authorities relied on? 7. I may not be able to understand the court proceedings or present my own case o What language does the defendant normally speak? o Why is an interpreter not sufficient? o Are there legal phrases/technical areas of law the defendant would still not understand? o Does the defendant suffer from any learning difficulties or mental health issues? o Is the defendant a youth? 8. Witnesses may need to be traced or interviewed on my behalf o If witnesses are known, why is it that the solicitor needs to speak with the witness rather than the defendant? o Why does the witness need to be traced? o Is it a member of the public? Key: Legislation/Codes; Cases; Statute book page reference

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o Provide the court with the kind of evidence the defendant is seeking to adduce via this witness 9. The proceedings may involve expert cross examination of a prosecution witness o Identify issues that make it difficult for the defendant to cross examine them o Age of defendant o Is there a legal argument? o Are the complainants witnesses? 10. It is in the interests of another person that I am represented? o Complainant o The victim is too young 11. Any other reasons? o All details of any suspended or non custodial sentence could be provided in this section o This will turn on the facts o Skilful examination of defence witnesses needed

Key: Legislation/Codes; Cases; Statute book page reference

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The Criminal Litigation Process THE CRIMINAL LITIGATION PROCESS THE PROCEDURAL OUTLINE OF THE CRIMINAL PROCESS

CASE MANAGEMENT AND CRIMINAL PROCEDURE RULES

Rule 1.1 Overriding Objective Rule 1.2 Duties of the participants in the case

Criminal Procedure Rules The overriding objective is to ensure criminal cases are dealt with justly. Rule 1.1(2) lists relevant factors the court must balance when operating (this is page 29 of the handbook). You must ensure you act property given your duties under the CCS. All of those involved in the conduct of the case (prosecutors, defence solicitors, defendants, witnesses etc) must ensure it is conducted in accordance with the overriding objectives (i.e. to deal with cases justly under Rule 1.1) and comply with the other Rules, practice directions and directions of the court. • This includes notifying the court of any delay or failure to comply with any direction made • If a criminal solicitor’s client is not cooperating (ie has repeatedly failed to goo to the office to provide his solicitor with instructions) the Court should be informed in accordance with Rule 1.2.

Key: Legislation/Codes; Cases; Statute book page reference

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The Criminal Litigation Process This will NOT breach the solicitor’s duty of confidentiality to their clients as there has been guidance from the Law Society that it is not a breach of confidentiality to disclose this to the court if there has been instruction. The court must further the overriding objective by actively managing the case. There is overlap between Rule 3.2 and 3.3. •

Rule 3.2 Court’s duty Rule 3.3 Party’s duty to assist in the court in exercising its duty under Rule 3.2 (p.34)

Rule 3.5

(a) – ensure the early indication of real issues. • What are the real matters in dispute between the defence and the prosecution? • Possible examples: D alleges mistaken ID, D alleges he had consent of owner in an offence under s12 Theft Act (taking motor vehicle without consent), D challenges admissibility of a confession (b) – ensure the early indication of needs of witnesses (c) – ensure all evidence is presented in the shortest and clearest possible way. • Eg: if defendant challenges the identification of him by a witness the witness must be called and cross examined about the matter (f) – discourage delay and deal with as many issues as possible avoid unnecessary court hearings. (g) – encourage co-operation between the parties to progress the case. • If a client misses appointments the court would have to be told. • If CPS repeatedly fail to serve the papers then the case could be discharged Both the Crown Court and Magistrates may issue directions and any party can seek a direction (pages 24-25 of lecture handout exemplifies directions). The court’s case management powers are wide under CrPR 3.5. Examples of directions could relate to timescales, disclosure, expert evidence or reporting restrictions. Standard directions upon a not guilty plea being made for a summary offence: • Crown to serve evidence with 28 days of the not guilty plea and comply with initial disclosure. It must serve notice if it intends to use hearsay or bad character evidence. • Defence to serve a defence statement within 14 days and notify the Crown and court that a witness is required to attend court to give live evidence with 7 days. Within 7 days, the defence must indicate whether any appl...