Document: 360 U.S. 343 79 S.Ct. 1217 3 L.Ed.2d 1287 Anthony M. PALERMO, Petitioner,v.UNITED STATES of America. No. 471. Argued April 28, 1959. Decided June 22, Rehearing Denied Oct. 12, See 80 41. Mr. Wyllys S. Newcomb, New York City, for petitioner. Ralph Spritzer, Washington, D.C., respondent. Justice FRANKFURTER delivered the opinion Court. 1 Petitioner was convicted knowingly and willfully evading payment income taxes years 1950, 1951 1952. A substantial part alleged evasion failure to report from dividends. Among Government's exhibits at trial a record, presumably contemporaneous in petitioner's handwriting, dividends received during This record reflected an amount dividend substantially larger than that reported on reurn . contended this had been turned over accounting firm which regularly prepared his return, Arthur R. Sanfilippo & Co., early 1952 use preparing but figures not accurately entered return by accountants. The contention given until 1953, subsequent initiation investigation tax affairs long after filing return. time accountants thus became directly relevant issue criminal intent charge against Sanfilippo, important government witness principal partner firm, testified handwritten 1953. 2 Prior trial, July 16, 1956, course interrogation agents Internal Revenue Service, unable recall when received. More month later, August 23, met with revenue verify sign transcript earlier testimony. At meeting he executed supplementary affidavit reciting wished clarify original answers remembered begun their returns. memorandum conference made one present. On cross-examination defense demanded various documents including 16 23 affidavit. also requested production any memoranda, or thereof summarizing what said, conference. judge denied request ground Act September 2, 1957, 71 Stat. 595, 18 U.S.C. § 3500, U.S.C.A. 3500—the so-called 'Jencks' Act—governing statements witnesses, precluded since it within definition 'statement' (e) Act.1 Court Appeals Second Circuit affirmed. 258 F.2d 397. Together several other cases raising Jencks problems, we granted certiorari, 358 905, 236, 227, determine scope meaning new statute. Accurate analysis these problems as basis appropriate solution requires due appreciation background statutory terms must be projected. 4 Exercising our power, absence provision, prescribe procedures administration justice federal courts, Court, 3, v. United States, 353 657, 77 1007, 1103, decided prosecution entitled, under certain circumstances, obtain, impeachment purposes, witnesses. These were therefore if contents related subject matter witness' direct testimony, demand specific written or, orally made, recorded Government. We held examine they contained material inconsistent testiony before deciding whether would turn them defense. Once shown contain only adequately equipped decide value impeachment. decision concerned did purport modify laws evidence governing admissibility prior witness. 5 promptly gave rise sharp controversy concern. day following House Representatives told posed serious problem national security legislation introduced. 103 Cong.Rec. 8290. same H.R. 7915, first eleven bills dealing problem, introduced House.2 Defendants' counsel began invoke justify demands far more sweeping involved Jencks, circumstances removed those case, some judges acceded excessive demands.3 Department Justice, rapid intrusions into often totally unrelated areas, drafted delimit reach Jencks. 15781. 24, Senate Senator O'Mahoney acting himself Senators. 10057. After study subcommittee Judiciary Committee bill out, 10601, then withdrawn completely measure substituted. 14913. When reached floor debate proposed amendment nature substitute adopted, 15938, passed 26. Ibid. In being amended Committee, see 10925, 27, 16130, substituted text bill. 16131. two versions went Conference. Conference Report agreed 29, 16490, next day. 16742. approved law 3500 Criminal Code, U.S.C., 3500.4 Congress determined exercise its power define rules should govern particular area instead leaving lawmarking courts. 6 almost every enactment there are gaps filled ambiguities resolved judicial construction. statute is free them. Here, however, detailed particularity has spoken narrowed needful interpretation unusual degree. clearly defines plainly indicates application. Since case calling authoritative exposition frequently comes prosecutions deem explicate construction required case. 7 1. Subsection (a) no statement agent Government possession shall examination. section manifests general aim restrict such Subsections (b), (c) (d) provide 'statements,' consequences produce. restrictively term used three preceding sections. suggestion type described subsection (e), all statements, e.g., non-verbatim, non-contemporaneous records oral produced pre-existing roc edure all, flouts whole history purpose enactment. It mock attribute intention surround carefully restricted most trustworthy class procedural safeguards, while allowing dubious less reliable favored legal status, safeguards tournament trials. To state demonstrates irrationality; legislative precludes acceptance. 8 sure, does not, so many words, exclusive, limiting means compelling purposes But things too evince call redundancy utterance. One motive forces behind fear expansive reading compel undiscriminating agent's summaries interviews regardless character completeness. Not strongly feared disclosure memoranda containing investigative interpretations impressions might reveal inner workings process thereby injure interest, felt grossly unfair allow impeach could fairly said own rather product investigator's selections, interpretations, interpolations. committee reports both Houses debates manifest avoid dangers restricting specifically defined bill.5 Indeed explicitly stated. 16130; 16125. Nothing Reports limited intimated slightest change exclusive measure. proceeded explicit assumption retained major barring defined.6 Act, fair overwhelming us hold cannot all. 9 2. constitute rule becomes necessary (e). Clause (1) permits 'a signed otherwise adopted him * *.' Although situations may arise, creating peripheral construction, import clear. (2) widens include stenographic, mechanical, electrical, recording, transcription her eof, verbatim recital contemporaneously marking statement.' Clearly provision allows making stenographic recordings even though later transcribed. preliminary determining now phrase 'other recording' wider production. find persuasive meant encompass mere automatic reproductions statements.7 10 However, finding beginning task clear properly called words available impeachment.8 deemed reflect fully without distortion agent. Distortion can selectivity well conscious inadvertent infusion recorder's opinions impressions. continuous congressional emphasis 'substantially recital,' 'continuous, narrative verbatim, nearly *,' Appendix B, post page 1228, designed eliminate danger misrepresentation inherent merely selects portions, albeit accurately, lengthy recital. Quoting out context frequent powerful modes misquotation. think consistent history,9 generally restrictive require selection material, interview aid complete notes, hence rest memory agent, produced. Neither, course, expounding standard do wish create impression 'delusive exactness.' possible permutations fact circumstance myriad. Trial courts will guided indicated standard, informed fidelity have outlined. There nothing impalpable about provisions. feel guiding definiteness, idle attempt minute enumeration applied. Such vain forcasting myriad diversities minor variance futile uncalled areas law. That follow direction diversity occasionally arise. Final rest, very evidentiary matters, good sense experience district standards outlined,10 appropriately review appellate courts.11 11 3. itself provides procedure determination Ordinarily satisfy limitations. Thus produce beyond responsive order court. doubtful compelled statute, approve practice having submit camera determination. Indeed, destructive purpose. governs documents; affect regarding once Act's concern regulating access papers, deny requirements relate indeed defeat design argue allowed 12 function decide, light each what, any, extrinsic offered prove statement. answer plain itself. others further information assist court's sound need, much evidence, needless collateral confusing issues assuring utmost fairness defendant. See, Nardone 308 338, 342, 60 266, 268, 84 L.Ed. 307. 13 principles Both District correctly sole 3500. unanimous understood examined below justified sustained.12 bespeak reflection conscience capacity judiciary found disregarded command Congress, duly interpreted, Against contingency always safeguard Court's reviewing power. 14 Affirmed. 15 For BRENNAN, joined CHIEF JUSTICE, BLACK DOUGLAS, 1228. APPENDIX TO OPINION OF THE COURT. SUMMARY LEGISLATIVE HISTORY DEMONSTRATING INTENT CONFERENCE MEASURE RETAIN AS PRIMARY PURPOSE ACT PROHIBITION PRODUCTION ALL STATEMENT NOT DESCRIBED IN SUBSECTION (E). (SEE 1224, ANTE.) 17 provisions exclusive. example, provided (a): 'In brought prospective (other defendant) States subpena, inspection, except, Federal Rules Procedure (18 U.S.C.A.), paragraph (b) section.' (Emphasis added.) 16130. 19 similar provision. 20 last dropped rewritten reference Procedure, 16488; Rep. 1271, 85th Cong., 1st Sess., indication omission intended work silent radical entire concept Act. Managers remarks Conferees enumerate changes meet differences objections. No mention nor intimation found, enumerates states 'To remove doubt kinds affected conferees, 'e' added expressly defining 'statement." H.R.RepNo.1271, Senate, O'Mahoney, response question, Conference, give slighest lost nature. 16487. 21 What small supports conclusion exclusiveness intended. introducing measure, stated that, '(t)here upon greater latitude examination irrelevant agents. language devised conferees cleared up doubts 16488—16489. House, Representative Keating, Conferees, explained 'The defendant see, courtroom actually formally need court credibility witness.' 16739. APEN DIX B 22 PARTIAL BEARING ON PROPER CONSTRUCTION bill, 'any transcriptions During limit mechanical recordings. 15930 15931. rejected sponsor legislation, argued leave 'limited.' 'All asking,' stated, 'is competent, deal witnesses whom puts stand, respect matters concerning testify, available.' 15932. left confined although demarcated. 24 passed, approved. present emerged 25 submitting 'would 16488. Javits asked: 26 '* done tie down purports make him—not comments recording ideas, him, transcribed him; correct?' 27 replied, 'Precisely.' apparent transcription. 28 proceedings true say recitals reply Celler's liberal Celler Conferee. Managers, pointing stated: 29 'It believed line enunciated Judge George H. Moore eastern Missouri Anderson, (D.C., 154 F.Supp. 374) set forth 14552 (sic) daily Congressional Record 26, 1957.' 30 referred to, 31 continuous, so, notes (or compiled therefrom) subjective impressions, opinions, conclusions person persons notes.' 15940. 32 incorporated Report, dual significance. goes defense, tht p oint 33 DOUGLAS join, concurring result. 34 I concur result justification ranging afield necessities essaying obiter 'Jencks Act,' (Supp. V) Many concrete adjudicated Courts familiar created 35 trials, careful guard promulgating pronouncements prevent exercising traditional responsibility. observes hope rests final responsible application responsibility judge, saying, delegated prosecutor. Questions solved through party's fall coverage. am confident devise methods whereby abdicated favor unilateral prosecuting arm 36 thought invade discretion checking extravagant lower took pains 'reaffirms' decision's holding entitled competent touching events activities trial. S.Rep.No.981, p. And H.R.Rep.No.700, pp. 4. necessity calls vehicle Certainly justifies stripping nonqualifying proper cases. Take simply stating interrogated hours knowledge defendant's transactions, Then suppose testifies great detail conduct. summary account hours' Government, statute; inconceivable intended, strip Even argument, conceded circumstances.1 obvious constitutional restrains ordering Less restrictions common-law rights confrontation one's accusers struck Sixth Amendment. Kirby 174 47, 574, 43 890. therebec omes pertinent Amendment defendants compulsory obtain Schneiderman, 106 731, 738. put grounds, be; commands Constitution close surface decision; indeed, recognized overtones statute.2 37 express forbids production, testified, outside coverage certainly adequate support absolute prohibition it. exclusive; deleted inference negating exclusivity. hurried discussions followed agreement hectic closing days session,3 explanation taken face value. contrary backdrop question potential invasion rights. ignore primary tests produce; recognize achievement statute's where demands. Of fashion producible lying purview, perhaps analogy excision matter. sufficient appear category judge's exercised.4 Decision broader ground. Cf. Lee Madigan, 228, 230 231, 276, 278—279, 260. already known 23. 38 productio of, between development interpretive law, read definitive answer. raised electrical interview. indicate 10-minute segment hour's If producible, how distinguish faithful reproduction, interviewer memory, interview? Since, concedes, interviewer's notes5 per se unproducible, summary, interview, would, part, useful exhaust occasion. forget confronted opportunity offer explanation. reasonable lose sight regulates cross-examination, regulate evidence—as observes. Here too, borne mind. 39 repeat crystal check reaffirming basic helpful who testify him. introduced, violence understanding working high speed pressures end session, sanction applications exalting exaggerating restrictions, disregard principle Examination papers sedulously kept companion governmental prosecution's interest conviction, served non-disclosure, wonder usually so. inheres overrigid hazard encouraging agents' taking calculated insulate bear factors mind devising practical solutions affirmance judgment reject petitioner asserted cover failed assert applicable, terms. objection made. 8327. 8225, 9572; 8243, 9746; 8335, 10181; 8341, 8388, 10403; 8393, 8414, 10547; 8416, 8423, 8438, 10589. collected Attorney General H.R.Rep. 700, S.Rep. 569, Sess. 981, Sess.; 15939—15941. provides: '(a) discovery, inspection '(b) examination, shall, motion defendant, (as hereinafter defined) relates testiied testimony witness, use. '(c) claims ordered contains deliver camera. Upon delivery excise portions With excised, If, pursuant procedure, portion withheld objects withholding, continued adjudication guilt preserved and, event appeals, correctness ruling judge. Whenever section, discretion, recess reasonably preparation '(d) elects comply hereof statement, direct, strike proceed unless interests mistrial declared. '(e) 'statement,' subsections (c), relation means— '(1) '(2) thereof, like expressions chambers. limitations enumerated 15930—15935. 16116. debates. summarized A, post, 1226. 1227. effect Reports. cited quoted inconsistency consideration. Neither significant admissible evidence. interpreted barrier. earliest exercised Harv.L.Rev., 1086 093 1094, collection legislation. exists Congress. Funk 290 371, 382, 54 212, 215, 78 369; Gordon 344 414, 418, 73 369, 372, 97 447. Much discovery right admit probative force. obviously sort sufficiently requirement consists brief approximately 600 ofa c onference lasting 1/2 hours. questions typed virtually represents items inclusion memorandum. applying supra, err refusing hand here, suggested remedy interviewer. reason believe place recalled name. Pressed nonavailability interviewer, 'I want carry burden saying extraordinary situation way getting (the summary) exceptions statute—what talking normal, ordinary case.' 4; 3; 15928, 15933, 16489. Copies analyzing version press time. falling hardly add refuse affirmative command. passing seems wholly devoid real materials

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