Task: songer_typeiss

What follows is an opinion from a United States Court of Appeals.
Your task is to determine the general category of issues discussed in the opinion of the court. Choose among the following categories. Criminal and prisioner petitions- includes appeals of conviction, petitions for post conviction relief, habeas corpus petitions, and other prisoner petitions which challenge the validity of the conviction or the sentence or the validity of continued confinement. Civil - Government - these will include appeals from administrative agencies (e.g., OSHA,FDA), the decisions of administrative law judges, or the decisions of independent regulatory agencies (e.g., NLRB, FCC,SEC). The focus in administrative law is usually on procedural principles that apply to administrative agencies as they affect private interests, primarily through rulemaking and adjudication. Tort actions against the government, including petitions by prisoners which challenge the conditions of their confinement or which seek damages for torts committed by prion officials or by police fit in this category. In addition, this category will include suits over taxes and claims for benefits from government. Diversity of Citizenship - civil cases involving disputes between citizens of different states (remember that businesses have state citizenship). These cases will always involve the application of state or local law. If the case is centrally concerned with the application or interpretation of federal law then it is not a diversity case. Civil Disputes - Private - includes all civil cases that do not fit in any of the above categories. The opposing litigants will be individuals, businesses or groups.

PER CURIAM.
Donald Caldwell appeals from the denial of his petition for a writ of habeas corpus under 28 U.S.C. § 2254.
In 1973, Caldwell was convicted in Minnesota state court of aggravated robbery. His conviction was affirmed on appeal. State v. Caldwell, 227 N.W.2d 382 (Minn. 1975). Thereafter, Caldwell filed a habeas petition claiming that the trial court’s refusal to allow defense counsel to cross-examine the principal prosecution witness as to his current address and place of employment denied him his right to confrontation.
The witness, James Klabunde, gave damaging testimony against Caldwell at trial. On cross-examination, defense counsel elicited various background information about Klabunde, including two prior addresses and that he was currently living in Minneapolis and working as a cook at a University of Minnesota fraternity house. The court, however, sustained prosecution objections to questions relating to Klabunde’s current address and specific place of employment, indicating that it was doing so out of concern for the witness’ safety. Klabunde had earlier testified to a confrontation with Caldwell which he viewed as threatening.
The district court found that the refusal to allow cross-examination as to Klabunde’s address and place of employment did not deny Caldwell his right to confrontation. We agree.
Where the credibility of a key prosecution witness is at issue, the right to confrontation ordinarily encompasses the right to cross-examine the witness as to his current address. See Smith v. Illinois, 390 U.S. 129, 88 S.Ct. 748, 19 L.Ed.2d 956 (1968); Alford v. United States, 282 U.S. 687, 51 S.Ct. 218, 75 L.Ed. 624 (1931); United States v. Dickens, 417 F.2d 958, 961-62 (8th Cir. 1969). As the Supreme Court stated in Alford, such a question is “an essential step in identifying the witness with his environment, to which cross-examination may always be directed.” 282 U.S. at 693, 51 S.Ct. at 220. These principles require that cross-examination similarly be allowed as to the witness’ place of employment. See, e. g., United States v. Le Barbera, 463 F.2d 988, 990 (7th Cir. 1972); United States v. Baker, 419 F.2d 83, 87 (2nd Cir. 1969), cert. denied, 397 U.S. 976, 90 S.Ct. 1096, 25 L.Ed.2d 271 (1970).
Despite the fundamental nature of these questions, however, the right to ask them is not absolute. Inquiry into the witness’ address and place of employment may be circumscribed where disclosure might endanger the personal safety of the witness, and where the defendant makes no showing of materiality. See, e. g,. Smith v. Illinois, 390 U.S. 129, 133, 88 S.Ct. 748, 19 L.Ed.2d 956 (Concurring Opinion of Justice White); United States v. Crockett, 506 F.2d 759, 762-63 (5th Cir.), cert denied, 423 U.S. 824, 96 S.Ct. 37, 46 L.Ed.2d 40 (1975); United States v. Penick, 496 F.2d 1105, 1108-09 (7th Cir.), cert. denied, 419 U.S. 897, 95 S.Ct. 177, 42 L.Ed.2d 141 (1974); United States v. Smaldone, 484 F.2d 311, 318-19 (10th Cir. 1973), cert. denied, 415 U.S. 915, 94 S.Ct. 1411, 39 L.Ed.2d 469 (1974); United States v. Alston, 460 F.2d 48, 51-52 (5th Cir.), cert. denied, 409 U.S. 871, 93 S.Ct. 200, 34 L.Ed.2d 122 (1972); United States v. Baker, 419 F.2d 83, 87 (2nd Cir. 1969), cert. denied, 397 U.S. 976, 90 S.Ct. 1096, 25 L.Ed.2d 271 (1970); United States v. Dickens, 417 F.2d 958, 962 (8th Cir. 1969).
The record in this case contains evidence that disclosure of Klabunde’s address and place of employment might have posed a threat to his safety. It also reveals that Caldwell had an ample opportunity to place Klabunde in his proper environment so that the jury might evaluate his testimony. Caldwell has asserted no particularized need for the disclosure of Klabunde’s residence and workplace. Under these circumstances, we hold that he was not denied this right to confrontation.
The judgment of the district court denying the petition for a writ of habeas corpus is affirmed.
. Since this contention was considered and rejected by the Minnesota Supreme Court on direct appeal, State v. Caldwell, 227 N.W.2d 382 (Minn.1975), petitioner has exhausted his state remedies.
. Klabunde testified that in March, 1973, Caldwell, riding in a pick-up truck, had approached him while he was standing on a corner on the University of Minnesota campus. Caldwell allegedly stopped and stared at Klabunde. Klabunde stated that he felt scared. At a side bar conference, the state offered to prove that the confrontation occurred on the day after a pretrial hearing at which it appeared that Klabunde was the only witness to directly link Caldwell to the crime, and that Klabunde had endeavored to conceal his place of residence since that time.

Question: What is the general category of issues discussed in the opinion of the court?
A. criminal and prisoner petitions
B. civil - government
C. diversity of citizenship
D. civil - private
E. other, not applicable
F. not ascertained
Answer:

Answer: A