rules of discovery and privileged communications court systems and practices

Rules of Discovery and Privileged CommunicationsCourt Systems and Practices

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Discovery

• The process of exchanging information between the prosecution and defense

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Discovery (continued)

• This allows defendants to know exactly what will be used against them in trial and prevents surprises to the government at trial

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The following are the federal rules and constitutional requirements for discovery.

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Bill of Particulars

• A detailed, formal, written statement of charges or claims by a plaintiff or the prosecutor, given upon the defendant’s formal request to the court for more detailed information

• This is intended to provide a defendant with details about the charges that are necessary for preparation for trial

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Statements of the Defendant

• Upon request, the government must allow the defendant to inspect, copy, or photograph all prior relevant written and recorded statements made by the defendant

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Statements of the Defendant(continued)• This includes– Statements the defendant made to the grand jury– Oral evidence that the police may testify about

concerning what the defendant said

• Only statements that the prosecution intends to use at trial are discoverable

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Criminal Record of the Defendant

• Prosecutors must furnish a copy of the defendant’s criminal record

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Documents and Tangible Objects

• Defendants are entitled to inspect and copy photographs, books, tangible objects, papers, buildings, and places of the government if

• The item is material to preparation for the defendant’s defense• The item is going to be used by the government at the

trial• The item was obtained from, or belongs to, the

defendant

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Documents and Tangible Objects(continued)

• Defendants must allow the government to inspect their belongings only if used at trial

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Scientific Reports and Tests

• All scientific reports and tests in the possession of the government must be turned over to the defendant if requested

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Scientific Reports and Tests(continued)• This includes– Conclusions of mental examinations of defendant– Autopsy reports– Drug tests– Fingerprint analysis– Blood tests– DNA tests– Ballistic tests– Other related examinations

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Statements of Witnesses/Jencks Act• A defendant can review a prior written or

recorded statement after the witness has testified

• This allows the defendant to see if the witness’ testimony is inconsistent with what they told police before the trial

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Deposition• A deposition is oral testimony given under

oath, not in court• Depositions are frequently given in civil

cases• What was said in the deposition can be

used in court when there are “exceptional circumstances”– For example, if a person who gave the

deposition was unable to testify at the trial

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Brady Doctrine

• Exculpatory evidence of the defendant must be provided by the prosecution

• Exculpatory evidence tends to prove a defendant’s innocence– This could be in the form of information

that comes up in another trial where someone admits they committed the crime the defendant is charged with

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Alibis

• An alibis is a defendant’s account of what they were doing when the crime they are charged with occurred to show that they did not commit the crime

• The defense has to give prior notice of the defendant’s alibi so the prosecution can investigate its legitimacy and any witnesses related to it

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Fingerprints, Handwriting, Photographs and the Like• Fingerprinting and photographing the

defendant can be constitutionally required in all felony cases

• The defendant can be ordered to give examples of handwriting, blood samples, and the like

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Privileged Communications

• Some communications between certain types of people are confidential and cannot be revealed in any court proceedings

• This includes relationships described in the following slides

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Marital Privilege

• Communication between husband and wife is confidential

• The marriage must be valid• There is an exception to this privilege

if one commits a crime against his or her spouse

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Medical Privilege

• Communication between a doctor and patient are confidential

• This generally applies to all matters within the hospital

• Only the patient can break confidentiality• The patient can lose this privilege if they “open the

door” by introducing evidence concerning their physical or mental condition

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Legal Privilege

• Whenever legal advice is sought from a lawyer, the communication is considered confidential and permanently protected from disclosure, unless the client consents to its disclosure

• Confidential communication includes words, conversations, or letters

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Legal Privilege (continued)

• An exception to the legal privilege exist if the lawyer is a party to a crime or a participant in a conspiracy, or if the communication itself is criminal

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Divinity Privilege

• Communication between a clergyman and an individual are protected if the he or she is consulting the clergyman professionally

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Official Privilege

• The government has a privilege not to disclose confidential matters of state, particularly military secrets

• This privilege also applies to continuing investigations of a criminal nature

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Exemptions to Freedom of Information Laws• Freedom of information laws allow the public

access to government records• There are nine exemptions to the federal

Freedom of Information Act• If a request for information falls into one of

the nine exemptions, the government may withhold disclosure

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Exemptions to Freedom of Information Laws (continued)• One of the exemptions provides that law

enforcement records may be withheld if disclosure will– Interfere with enforcement proceedings– Deprive a person of a fair trial or an impartial

adjudication– Constitute an unwarranted invasion of personal

privacy

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Exemptions to Freedom of Information Laws (continued)– Disclose the identity of a confidential source– Disclose investigative techniques and procedures– Endanger the life or physical safety of law

enforcement personnel

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Resources

• 0766818314, Criminal Law and Procedure (5th Edition) by Daniel E. Hall, J.D., Ed.D.

• 0821107321, Introduction to Criminal Evidence and Court Procedure (3rd Edition) by Julian R. Hanley, Wayne W. Schmidt, and Larry D. Nichols

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