Simple English definitions for legal terms
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Facially sufficient means that a document looks valid on the surface. For example, a search warrant may look like it was properly obtained, but if it was based on lies from the police officer who wrote it, it can still be challenged in court. If there is evidence that the document was not truthful, a hearing called a Franks hearing can be held to determine if the evidence obtained from the search warrant can be used in court.
Definition: Facially sufficient refers to a document that appears to be valid on its face.
For example, a search warrant affidavit may be considered facially sufficient if it meets all the legal requirements and appears to be valid. However, if the affidavit is based on false testimony by the officer making the affidavit, it can still be challenged and attacked.
In such cases, a Franks hearing may be held to determine whether the affidavit used to obtain a search warrant was based on false statements by the police officer. This hearing is named after the Franks v. Delaware case, which established the right to challenge the validity of a search warrant affidavit.
Overall, facially sufficient means that a document appears to be valid and meets all the legal requirements on its face, but it can still be challenged if there is evidence of false statements or other legal issues.