Document: 353 U.S. 657 77 S.Ct. 1007 1 L.Ed.2d 1103 Clinton E. JENCKS, Petitioner,v.UNITED STATES of America. No. 23. Argued Oct. 17, 1956. Decided June 3, 1957. Mr. John T. McTernan, Los Angeles, Cal., for petitioner. V. Lindsay, New York City, respondent. Justice BRENNAN delivered the opinion Court. On April 28, 1950, petitioner, as president Amalgamated Bayard District Union, Local 890, International Union Mine, Mill & Smelter Workers, filed an 'Affidavit Non-Communist Officer' with National Labor Relations Board, pursuant to § 9(h) Act.1 He has been convicted under a two-count indictment charging that he violated 18 U.S.C. 1001, U.S.C.A. 10012 by falsely swearing in affidavit was not on member Communist Party or affiliated such Party. The Court Appeals Fifth Circuit affirmed conviction,3 and also order denying petitioner's motion new trial.4 This granted certiorari.5 2 Two alleged trial errors are presented our review. Harvey F. Matusow J. W. Ford, Government's principal witnesses, were members paid Federal Bureau Investigation contemporaneously make oral written reports activities which they participated. They made F.B.I. allegedly participated about testified at trial. Error is asserted denial judge motions direct Government produce these inspection use cross-examining Ford. instructions given jury membership, affiliation, credibility informers.6 3 Former Mexico, had expressly instructed conceal their membership carry cards. kept no records minutes meetings, meetings secretly arranged clandestinely held. One witnesses said special care taken members, like 'occupying strategic important positions labor unions other organizations where public knowledge non-Communists would jeopardize position organization.' Accordingly, did attempt prove any admissions petitioner proof his compliance requirements, name appeared upon roster, carried card. 4 evidence relied entirely circumstantial. It consisted testimony conduct from early 1946 through October 15, 1949, Matusow's concerning conversations between him vacation ranch July August lecture ranch. attached probative weight action executing filing Affidavit Officer because events surrounding affidavit. bridged gap 1950 Ford that, during period, took disciplinary against defection deviation, replace office held State Board. 5 first activity preceded union employment. A witness, who spring 1946, time, present closed meeting home chairman Colorado, veteran World War II, led urging veterans spread out into several veterans' all join same one, better further work. 6 Later employed Workers business agent local Silver City-Bayard, area. one acts meet Union's then Regional Director Southwest, member, organizer area, develop plans organizing group within each those locals, later merged form 890 presidency. 7 Mexico September and, 1948, Board security officer. 1948 became undercover F.B.I.7 reported regularly meetings. related detail occurrences five attended. 8 At meeting, worked plan support candidacy Congress ticket Progressive second February appointed delegates Mexican-American Association Phoenix, Arizona, infiltrate organization it Party's purposes. third state completed, leader southern half State. fourth May gave progress report success recruiting among groups, offered 890's newspaper, 'The Worker,' edited, issues interest. fifth preparations another month Albuquerque, delegates, including give vigorous but take themselves conspicuous proceedings. 9 Ford's duties officer keep watch 'any particular defections philosophy peculiar actions, statements associations, endanger state.' If considered important, 'would be called either severely reprimanded criticized, disciplined. refused accept discipline suspended expelled.' 1949 when ceased Party, there knowledge, replaced 10 leading up execution filing, former representative, 1947 1949. 17 months before, holding offices locals Denver formulate combatting movement, non-Communists, secede Union. informed policy sign affidavits required recently enacted Taft-Hartley Act. There changed before 11 shortly C.I.O. convention scheduled expel Mine-Mill its membership. After affidavit, officers published article Worker' contemplated part program 'right-wing * gobbling chunks militant unions. Our have swallowed lot guff, insults. But point. Now signed phony we can defend ourselves case raids. We do fear attack quarter longer.' 12 went Mexico.8 In spent 10-day near Taos, number people. there. twice told desire transfer both occasions applauded idea him, 'we you here, need more active members.' occasions, said, asked suggestions preparing delivery ranch, particularly what Communists doing Stockholm Peace Appeal. described 'do-day' adopted doers, talkers, performed some activity, painting signs around baseball stadium showed great interest might bring back fellow City. 13 planned lecture, audience idea, praised Soviet disarmament plan, referred United States aggressor Korea, urged read 'Daily People's World,' identified 'West Coast newspaper.' Another expelled 1951 1952, repeatedly paper. 14 conversations, developing leaders Mexican Miners negotiate simultaneous expiration dates collective bargaining agreements, joint American workers cut off production slow down Korean effort. joined Taos Chapter Association, this proper work key organization, controlled he, City area.9 15 subjected cross-examination employment informers services, accepted. thereafter submitted FB.I., 'sometimes once week, sometimes month, various times; maybe three four times depending (he) attended distance meetings.' immediately following while still fresh memory. could recall, however, writing. 16 moved 'for directing witness dealing defendant Jencks years 1949.' judge, without stating reasons, denied motion. Matusow, cross-examination, again require 'the prosecution (Matusow) matters saw heard Ranch period guest *.'10 opposed sole ground preliminary foundation laid inconsistency contents rested affirmance primarily ground.11 19 Both court erred. hold lay inconsistency, sufficient established testimony. 20 reliance Gordon v. States, 344 414, 73 369, 97 L.Ed. 447, misplaced. true fact mentioned Court's admitted documents involved contradicted However, say showing prerequisite accused's right possession, misinterpret opinion. necessary essentials foundation, emphasized opinion, '(t)he demand specific propose broad blind fishing expedition possessed chance something impeaching turn up. Nor persons informants witnesses.' (Emphasis added.) page 419, 373. reaffirm re-emphasize essentials. 'For purposes, only appear relevant, competent, outside exclusionary rule *.' 420, 21 crucial nature conspicuously apparent. impeachment singularly value purposes highlighted remember written, admission: 'I don't recall I put my two ago, oral, know were.' 22 Every experienced lawyer knows recording time dulls treacherous Flat contradiction witness' version test inconsistency. omission facts trial, contrast emphasis facts, even different treatment, relevant process testing 23 Requiring accused show conflict actually deny material defense. occasion determining cannot arise until after testified, unless admits conflict, Gordon, helpless discover inspecting reports.12 requirement clearly incompatible standards administration criminal justice federal courts must therefore rejected. For '* shall win case, done Berger 295 78, 88, 55 629, 633, 79 1314.13 24 Goldman 316 129, 132, 62 993, 995, 86 1322, discretion does notes memoranda (relating testimony) now entitled orally made, recorded F.B.I., touching hold, further, inspect decide whether them Because defense adequately equipped determine effective purpose discrediting thereby furthering defense, initially see may them. requires less.14 25 practice producing government determination relevancy materiality, hearing accused, disapproved.15 Relevancy materiality inspection, view shown relate witness. Only admissibility—e.g., evidentiary questions relevancy—of method elimination parts immaterial irrelevant. See U.S., 418, 372. 26 below assert privileged disclosure grounds national security, confidential character reports, otherwise. brief Court, argues absent contradiction, disregards legitimate party—including Government—has safeguarding privacy files, question obtained confidence. Production documents, court, should compelled absence party making request.' counsel, believing Appeals' decisions imposed qualification, restricted request judge's extent available 27 unquestionably protection vital interests militate possession. recognized civil causes statutory authority conferred departments adopt regulations 'not inconsistent law, records, papers appertaining' department.16 Attorney General declaring Department disclosure, response subpoena, permission.17 28 noticed, Reynolds, 345 1, 528, 727, holdings Second Circuit18 invoke privileges price letting go free. rationale cases since prosecutes duty done, unconscionable allow undertake governmental deprive anything 12, 534. 29 Andolschek, Cir., 142 F.2d 503, 506, Judge Learned Hand said: 30 While lawful department suppress will help controversies persons, agree include suppression prosecution, founded very dealings relate, whose criminality will, may, tend exculpate. So far directly touch dealings, necessarily ends possess; conducted open, bare subject matter. choose; leave transactions obscurity draw them, expose fully. seem us possible line bears transactions, indirectly relevant. Not distinction extremely difficult apply practice, reasons forbid other, though not, perhaps, quite so imperatively dismissed Government, privilege, elects comply produce, admission evidence, possession matter Accord, Roviaro 53, 60—61, 623, 627—628, 639. burden Government's, shifted prejudice allowing crime unpunished greater than attendant secrets information 31 Reversed. 32 FRANKFURTER joins deeming relating dealt with, directed, agrees respects which, BURTON finds erroneous. 33 WHITTAKER consideration decision case. 34 BURTON, whom HARLAN joins, concurring result. 35 importance courts, believe appropriate set forth briefly route reach result 36 indicates, supplied false Cross-examination brought respective examination. Having fact, sought requiring testified. procedure followed carefully specified: Matusow; if found purpose, cross-examination. controlling decision, Shelton 205 806. Apparently ground, motions. 37 Petitioner's requests limited narrow category specified conversations. requests—to impeach witnesses—was clear. Petitioner ask himself; access portions unprivileged.1 38 circumstances, unnecessary respect contemporaneous reports. Although contradiction,2 never so.3 every serve justice. concur, therefore, portion 39 inflexible broader, equally rigid announced scope 'large allowed judge.' 1322; Glasser 315 60, 83, 457, 470, 680; Alford 282 687, 694, 51 218, 220, 75 624. connection examination depends significance established, potential requested document proving facts. Since 'numerous subtle considerations detect appraise cold record *,' court's upheld 'clear prejudicial abuse Cf. Michelson 335 469, 480, 69 213, 221, 93 168. produced used refreshing recollection. Socony-Vacuum Oil Co., 310 150, 232—234, 60 811, 848 849, 84 1129. When adverse stated therein, conclusion compelling. 40 goes beyond effect, seems waives placing author stand prosecution. identity embody policy. withholding jury, defendant. 639 (identity informers); Reynolds 727 (state secrets). Once learns secret informer, underlying basis privilege disappears, usually remains little jury. Thus, party, preservation dependent nondisclosure makes disclosing defendant, pass examining camera claimed privileged. Bowman Dairy Co. 341 214, 71 675, 679, 95 879. nothing novel unfair procedure. According Wigmore, customary. 41 obviously withhold mere assertion concern himself with; nor applicability left decision. requires; own satisfaction irrelevant rights privacy, submitting opponent's view. *' deleted supplied.) VIII Evidence (3d ed. 1940), 117—118. 42 Numerous type here involved—contemporaneous investigator informer testifies protects executive files. permitting receive opportunity argue inapplicable applicable, circumstances outweighs maintaining secrecy. problem closely supra, necessity informer's 43 '(N)o fixed justifiable. calls balancing protecting flow individual's prepare Whether balance renders erroneous depend taking charged, defenses, testimony, factors.' 62, 628. 44 exercises secrecy, defendant's disclosure. By vesting conflicting balanced, just reached individual needless sacrifice interests.5 45 disagree failure necessitates court.6 more. contain it. contradictory exculpatory helpful resulted denials motions.7 Were committed reversible error instructing meaning vacate judgment remand examine determine, light entire record, petitioner.8 46 failed guidance phrases 'member Party,' 'affiliated party' Management Act, 61 Stat. 146, 159(h), 159(h). instruction follows: 47 'In considering consider circumstantial well direct. You engaged consistent circumstantial, bear 1950.' 48 emphasize essential element organized group—the belong recognition considers member.9 49 affiliation defective. quoting dictionary definitions employing synonymous words, merely 'Affiliation means less sympathy. Affiliation proved both.' convict intermittent cooperation. continuing course 'on fairly permanent basis' 'that abruptly ended giving least reasonable cause charge breach good faith.'10 50 instructions, concur CLARK, dissenting. 52 holds trial.' fashions foreign jurisprudence. always contrary. me judicial overrule 1942, contra today. done. That books haunt lawyers search rule. unanimous issue documents1 'notes (federal) agents investigation.' today cases.2 experience Even attorneys temerity sweeping permitted circuits. My Brother manner works. Perhaps recanting examined for, requested, thought made. objection being points out, reversal purpose. 53 Unless changes today, intelligence agencies law enforcement close shop, opened files thus afforded Roman holiday rummaging secrets. prosecutions none problems relations, espionage, sabotage, subversive activities, counterfeiting, internal exist, person conversant quickly recognize opens veritable Pandora's box troubles. And over eight score gotten along enjoys highest rank world. 54 Edgar Hoover tellingly pointed Subcommittee Committee Foreign Senate. Among things maintained fully discharge serious responsibilities us, inviolate. (U)nless drastically change circumscribe procedures, disclosed.' describing Bureau, continued: 'FBI details secured disclosed, become misinterpretation, quoted context, thwart truth, distort half-truths, misrepresent raw material, allegations, compilation duty. These intended served contents.' 56 'These complaints, interviewed. Depending investigation, cases, contain, background data private life identities sources full investigative techniques. short, consist running account transpires. 57 want apt comparison, compared newspaper reporter culled printable unprintable. proven alone. allege crimes most despicable type, truth falsity charges emerge studied, investigation separated chaff.' 58 'If criminals, agents, subversives, others forewarned seek methods avoiding detection defeat FBI created.' Hearings Senate S. Res. 231, 81st Cong., 2d Sess. 327—329. 59 add graphic expression existence inviolate BURTON'S concurrence majority involved, namely, sufficiency instructions. impact views reaches myself alone, whole sufficient. unfortunate announce position. pending appellate courts. Gold's,3 come cases. sorely divided constitutes announced. 143, amended, 65 602, Section provides processes unavailable file executed in, supports believes teaches, overthrow force illegal unconstitutional 749. 226 540. 553. 350 980, 76 467, 100 849. disposition From 1953, $7,025 services. Of sum, approximately $3,325 covered related. Other Subversive Activities Control 351 115, 663, 1003, Flynn, D.C., 130 F.Supp. 412. recanted deliberately recantation, appeal conviction pending, newly discovered evidence. extended hearings, During hearings given. denied. rulings. upholding refusal Upon presence requisite conditions, charged 552. Burr, Fed.Cas. 187, 14,694, wherein Chief Marshall, confronted letter addressed President attorney stated: 'Now, paper opposite statement expected claims production, precisely knowing contents? objected passages out. how itself withheld? 191. Schneiderman, 106 731; People Dallabonda, 265 Mich. 486, 251 N.W. 594; Canon 5, Bar Canons Professional Ethics (1947). Marshall 14,694: 'Let supposed respecting court. Still bearing Different representations affect modes although application perceived What unfolds. perceive argument, See, e.g., Grayson, 166 863, 869; Beekman, 155 580, 584; Ebeling, 146 254, 256; Cohen, 145 82, 92; Krulewitch, 76, 156 A.L.R. 337. R.S. 161, 22, 22; 727; cf. Totten 92 105, 605. Atty.Gen.Order 3229, CFR, Supp. 51.71 (1939); 2, Pike Fischer Admin.Law (2d), Dept. (1947); Rev., Fed.Reg. 1368 (1953). 580; 503. brief, states: 'Petitioner having value. proposed foray government's protect connected case.' Scanlon 223 382, 385—386; 806, 814—815; Christoffel 91 U.S.App.D.C. 241, 244—247, 200 734, 737 739, reversed grounds, 947, 868, 1371; D'Aquino 192 338, 375; De Normand, 149 622, 625—626; 257; Little 401; Arnstein App.D.C. 199, 203, 296 946, 950. petitioners erred petitioners' statements, deciding regard establishing precedent production. Coplon, 185 638, A.L.R.2d 1041; 79; 412; Mesarosh, 116 345, 350; 731, 735—738. Privileged excised destroying deletion impracticable choose completely. Material withheld sealed review correct discretion. n. supra. Rule 52(a) Rules Criminal Procedure, U.S.C.A., provides: 'Any error, defect, irregularity variance substantial disregarded.' Lutwak 604, 619, 481, 490, 593; Kotteakos 328 750, 756—777, 66 1239, 1243—1253, 90 1557. many nonproduction harmless error. Three comparatively recent law-enforcement Sansone, 231 887; Montgomery 203 887, 893 894; Bundy 193 694. forum effect 1003; Remmer 347 227, 74 450, 98 654. Fisher 99, 106—107. also, Ocon Guercio, 237 177; Baghdasarian 220 677; Sigurdson Landon, 215 791; Dickhoff Shaughnessy, 535. ex rel. Kettunen Reimer, 315, 317. Bridges Wixon, 326 135, 1443, 89 2103; 107—108. Though dissenting opinions expressed disagreement whatsoever issue. cites support. quotations late Jackson, Solicitor General, lifted context. explicitly 'showing existence, examination, bore main tried: participation crime.' Id., pages 418—419, Likewise, Vinson, approved tort suit. approval whatever here. purposely omitted reference penultimate sentence, 'Accord, 639.' dead informant's documents. Gold 1957, 352 985, 378, 360, remanded official intrusion 9,

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