Court Clarifies Duties of Police, City Attorneys, District Attorneys for Pitchess Discovery Motions
by William R. Galstan on July 20, 2015
posted in Law Enforcement, Pitchess Motions,
The California Supreme Court has resolved questions that have arisen among police departments, city attorneys and district attorneys about their obligations to respond to criminal discovery requirements under the landmark decisions of Brady v. Maryland and Pitchess v. Superior Court. The Brady case, generally, requires the prosecution to disclose material evidence that is favorable to the criminal defendant. Pitchess holds that peace officers are entitled to a measure of privacy, and that their personnel records can only be examined and disclosed after the filing of a “Pitchess motion”. ... Continue Reading
