Northern Virginia Criminal Justice Academy (NVCJA) Practice Exam

Who is responsible for determining the admissibility of your lineup?

1. The police department

2. The Court

3. The prosecutor

4. The defense attorney

The correct answer is: The Court

The court is responsible for determining the admissibility of a lineup. This responsibility stems from the judicial system's role in ensuring that evidence presented in court complies with legal standards, including issues of fairness and reliability. The court evaluates whether the procedures used in the lineup were conducted in a manner that adheres to constitutional protections, such as the right to a fair trial. The court assesses factors like the suggestiveness of the lineup, the witness's ability to make reliable identifications, and whether proper protocols were followed by law enforcement during the lineup process. If a lineup is deemed overly suggestive or conducted improperly, it could be ruled inadmissible, impacting the prosecution’s case significantly. While police departments organize lineups and prosecutors may advocate for their admissibility, ultimately, it is the court that has the authority to determine whether the lineup meets legal standards and can be presented as evidence in a trial.