what is it called when the defense attorney is able to have all of the prosecution's evidence

by Dr. Yolanda Hansen MD 3 min read

What is the defense entitled to know about the prosecution's case?

Dec 02, 2019 · Named after a United States Supreme Court case, this requirement extends to all material, exculpatory evidence. In other words, if the evidence is relevant to the guilt, innocence or punishment of the defendant, then the prosecution is required by law to turn it over to the defense. This makes sense, as the prosecution has most of the information and power in a …

When does the prosecution have to turn over evidence to defense?

Prosecutors can't disclose all discovery on the eve of trial, but on the other hand, they don't have to divulge it all way ahead of time. Discovery can unfold gradually. For example, a defendant's attorney might receive a copy of the police report at the first court appearance, but might not receive a prosecution expert's written analysis of ...

Does the prosecution have evidence against you?

Jan 05, 2022 · The plea bargain is an agreement between a criminal defense attorney and the prosecution to resolve a criminal case and ends with a defendant pleading guilty or nolo contendre (no contest) in exchange for a reduced sentence or to a lesser charge. Nolo Contendre What is a plea of nolo contendre? A plea of nolo contendre is a guilty plea.

Can a court give a defense attorney leeway in a criminal case?

If you are facing criminal charges, the prosecution likely has evidence against you. If your rights have been violated or if the evidence is irrelevant to the case your defense attorney should do everything they can to ensure it isn’t used against you. To fully understand the evidence in your case and the impact it can have on your criminal ...

What is the Giglio rule?

A Giglio letter is a document written by a prosecutor when he or she finds out about a law enforcement officer who may not be credible on the stand. With this documented lack of credibility, the law enforcement officer is very unlikely to be used as a witness in a trial.Jun 7, 2021

Why does the defense attorney have the opportunity to cross examine the prosecution's witnesses?

Witness Examination Following the prosecutor's examination of a witness, the defense attorney has an opportunity to cross examine or ask questions to the same witness. The purpose of cross examination is to create doubt as to the credibility of the witness.

What is the Brady rule in law?

The Brady Rule, named after Brady v. Maryland, 373 U.S. 83 (1963), requires prosecutors to disclose materially exculpatory evidence in the government's possession to the defense.

What does evidence favorable to defendant mean?

Exculpatory evidenceExculpatory evidence is evidence favorable to the defendant in a criminal trial that exonerates or tends to exonerate the defendant of guilt. It is the opposite of inculpatory evidence, which tends to present guilt.

When an attorney examines his client's witnesses and his client the attorney is engaging in what type of questioning?

This is called “cross-examination.” The lawyer's purpose in conducting this questioning is to make his/her own side's case look better and to make his/her opponent's case look worse.Jan 20, 2016

Can the defence call a witness?

The defence will usually call them as part of their case; Those whose evidence supports the prosecution case but it is decided not to call them. A defence challenge may arise.

What is a Giglio?

A Giglio or Brady list is a list compiled usually by a prosecutor's office or a police department containing the names and details of law enforcement officers who have had sustained incidents of untruthfulness, criminal convictions, candor issues, or some other type of issue placing their credibility into question.

What does exculpatory mean in law?

Information that increases a defendant's probability of innocence or absolutely relieves them of liability. Often used to describe evidence in a criminal trial that justifies, excuses, or creates reasonable doubt about a defendant's alleged actions or intentions.

What is it called when you withhold evidence?

Spoliation of evidence is the intentional, reckless, or negligent withholding, hiding, altering, fabricating, or destroying of evidence relevant to a legal proceeding.

What is the Brady motion?

A Brady motion is a defendant's request that the prosecution in a California criminal case turn over any potentially “exculpatory” evidence, or evidence that may be favorable to the accused.

What is considered exculpatory evidence?

Exculpatory evidence includes any evidence that may prove a defendant's innocence. Examples of exculpatory evidence include an alibi, such as witness testimony that a defendant was somewhere else when the crime occurred.Jul 30, 2020

What kind of evidence tends to prove a defendant's innocence?

Exculpatory evidence is any reasonable evidence that tends to show the defendant's innocence.Sep 8, 2021

Can Prosecutors Spring Evidence on Defendants Like They Do on TV?

No. In the past, prosecutors could guard evidence fromdefendants with the same fervor toddlers show in protecting toy trucks anddolls from their si...

Are Discovery Rules Really Intended to Help Defendants at Trial?

Not exclusively. Sure, advance disclosure promotes fairertrial outcomes, but it also promotes case settlement, which saves judicial timeand resourc...

Does Discovery Mean That The Prosecution Has to Reveal Its Case Strategy?

No. Discovery rules generally distinguish between rawinformation like names of witnesses, police reports, and drug or alcohol testresults, and atto...

Is There A Particular Period of Time Prior to Trial When The Defense Issupposed to Engage in Discovery?

Not really. Prosecutors can’t disclose all discovery on theeve of trial, but on the other hand, they don’t have to divulge it all way aheadof time....

Pretrial Motions

Jury Selection

Opening Statements

The Prosecution’S Case

Motion For Judgment of Acquittal

The Defense’S Case

Rebuttal

Summations

  • Summations are also called closing arguments because both sides have the opportunity to argue to the jury why it should find in their favor. The lawyers will summarize all of the evidence presented in the case and why it supports their theory. They will also show why evidence that harms their theory shouldn’t be believed. As with all other parts of a case, the prosecution must …
See more on locallawyerguide.com

Jury Deliberations

Verdict

Types of Discovery

  • A police report is a common example of discovery. (However, the law might not require disclosure of police reports in all states.) A typical one will contain the names of any victims or witnesses, reports of statements by such people, observations by the officer, and more. The police report is sometimes the first item of discovery that a defense attorney receives. Other forms of discover…
See more on lawyers.com

The Right to Discovery: Brady Material

Federal and State Discovery Statutes

Questions For Your Attorney