New York Law (NYLE) Practice Exam

What is a pre-trial hearing that determines the correctness of a witness’s identification called?

1. Sandoval hearing

2. Huntley hearing

3. Mapp hearing

4. Wade hearing

The correct answer is: Wade hearing

A pre-trial hearing that determines the correctness of a witness’s identification is known as a Wade hearing. This type of hearing is conducted to assess the reliability of eyewitness identifications. The name “Wade” comes from the landmark case *United States v. Wade*, in which the Supreme Court addressed the issue of potential suggestiveness in witness identifications and the due process concerns that arise from such identifications. During a Wade hearing, the court examines factors that may affect the validity of the witness's identification, such as the manner in which the identification process was conducted, the conditions under which the witness observed the suspect, and any potential influences that may have led to a biased identification. The aim of the hearing is to ensure that any identification made by the witness is reliable and not tainted by suggestive practices, thereby protecting the defendant’s right to a fair trial. The other hearing types listed have distinct purposes: a Sandoval hearing addresses the admissibility of a defendant’s prior convictions for impeachment purposes, a Huntley hearing deals with the admissibility of a defendant’s statements to law enforcement, and a Mapp hearing pertains to the legality of evidence obtained in a search and seizure context. Each of these hearings serves a specific function within the pre-tr