Criminal Justice Process: The Investigation

Mrs. Gurzler

Arrest Vocab

• Arrest – takes place when a person suspected of a crime is taken into custody.

• Arrest warrant – a court order commanding that the person named in it be taken into custody.

• Probable cause to arrest means having a reasonable belief that a specific person has committed a crime. No exact formula.

• Drug courier profile – used to provide a basis to stop and question a person or to help establish probable cause for arrest. Some argue this is unfair.

Arrest Vocab Continued…

• Corroborate – Police are required to confirm tips from citizens

• Reasonable suspicion – based on even less evidence than probable cause.

• Stop and frisk – if an officer thinks that a person is armed and dangerous, they may pat down the person’s outer clothing

Search and Seizure

• Exclusionary rule – If the court finds the search was unreasonable, then evidence found in the search cannot be used at the trial against the defendant.

• Search warrant – a court order, issued by a judge

• Before a judge issues a warrant, a police officer must file an affidavit – a sworn statement of facts and circumstances that provides the probable cause to believe that a search is justified.

Interrogations and Confessions

• Interrogate – after an arrest is made, the police question the accused

• Self-incrimination – a suspect has the right to remain silent and cannot be forced to testify against himself or herself.– The government bears the burden of proof.– 5th Amendment – “I Plead the Fifth”– Police officers have to read them to you when

you are arrested.