California, United States of America
The following excerpt is from People v. Capps, 215 Cal.App.3d 1112, 263 Cal.Rptr. 791 (Cal. App. 1989):
"The general rule that every presumption on appeal favors the trial court's findings of fact does not apply to rulings on questions of law. [Citations.] Because the facts bearing on the legality of the [deputy's conduct] in this case are undisputed, there is no factual issue entitled to a substantial evidence standard of review; rather, it is the ultimate responsibility of this court to measure the facts as found by the trier against constitutional standards. [Citation.]" (People v. Aldridge (1984) 35 Cal.3d 473, 477, 198 Cal.Rptr. 538, 674 P.2d 240.)
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