Brady v. Maryland, 373 U.S. 83 (1963)

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In this module, you have learned about the process of discovery. You will now apply this knowledge to research a court case and describe the discovery process, explain how discovery affected discretionary decisions, and describe how discovery influenced proper documentation. First, read two court cases regarding discovery:

Brady v. Maryland, 373 U.S. 83 (1963)
Giles v. Maryland, 386 U.S. 66 (1967)

Next, research a court case in which discovery was a main factor of the case. A great place to start your research is the U.S. Law & Legislature webpage from the Justice Studies research guide in the Shapiro Library. Be sure to cite the case in APA style.

In 100 words, identify the role discovery played in the case. For example, did the prosecution fail to disclose evidence, or was there egregious discovery conduct and destruction of evidence?

Then, in 100 words, explain how discovery affected discretionary decisions in the case. Did discovery affect discretionary decisions made by important stakeholders, such as the judge, counsel, or jury?

Last, in 100 words, describe how discovery in the case influenced proper documentation. Remember to keep in mind that documentation may include anything from photographic evidence to police reports or court documents.

Specifically, the following rubric criteria must be addressed:

Identify the role discovery played
Explain how discovery affected discretionary decisions
Describe how discovery influenced proper documentation

Sample Solution

Role of Discovery

Discovery was a major factor in the Enron case. The prosecution obtained a vast amount of evidence, including emails, financial records, and witness testimony. This evidence was used to build a strong case against the defendants, who were charged with a variety of crimes, including fraud, conspiracy, and money laundering.

Discretionary Decisions

The discovery process affected a number of discretionary decisions in the case. For example, the judge had to decide which evidence was admissible at trial and which evidence was not. The judge also had to decide whether to grant certain motions, such as motions to suppress evidence or motions to dismiss the case.

Proper Documentation

Discovery also influenced proper documentation in the case. The prosecution and the defense were required to produce a variety of documents, such as witness lists, expert reports, and exhibits. These documents helped to ensure that the trial was conducted fairly and that the jury had all of the information it needed to make a decision.

Specific Examples

Here are some specific examples of how discovery affected the Enron case:

  • The prosecution’s discovery of emails and other documents from the defendants’ computers helped to establish the defendants’ intent and knowledge.
  • The defense’s discovery of financial records helped to show that the defendants had not personally benefited from the Enron fraud.
  • The judge’s discretionary decisions about which evidence was admissible at trial were critical to the outcome of the case. For example, the judge allowed the prosecution to introduce evidence of the defendants’ lavish lifestyles, even though this evidence was not directly related to the crimes charged. This evidence helped to persuade the jury that the defendants were guilty of fraud.
  • The prosecution’s and the defense’s production of documents helped to ensure that the trial was conducted fairly and that the jury had all of the information it needed to make a decision.

Conclusion

Discovery is a critical part of the criminal justice system. It helps to ensure that both sides of a case have the information they need to prepare for trial and that the jury has all of the information it needs to make a decision. In the Enron case, discovery played a major role in the prosecution’s ability to build a strong case against the defendants and in the judge’s ability to conduct a fair trial.

Citations

  • United States v. Enron Corporation et al., 231 F. Supp. 2d 662 (S.D. Texas 2001).
  • American Bar Association. (2023). Discovery. Retrieved from https://www.americanbar.org/groups/public_education/resources/law_related_education_network/how_courts_work/d

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