Opinion ID: 2182367
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Grand Jury Developed Evidence

Text: With respect to the other materials involved, we find the record inadequate to evaluate the need for their turnover balanced against the interests of grand jury secrecy. The materials have simply not been identified in any detail sufficient to make an informed judgment. In the future, the agency seeking disclosure should identify the materials sought to be disclosed with sufficient particularity that a court may distinguish between pre-existing documentary evidence, and transcripts, exhibits, or other materials developed by the grand jury process. The parties here did not have the advantage of the Sells decision at the time the motion was argued and did not focus on the interests peculiar to the specific material. On balance, we believe that there will be little justification for continuing secrecy as to these materials because, as we understand the record below, all of those materials were previously disclosed to the defendants as part of pretrial discovery under Rule 3:17. That being so, factor (4) of the Procter & Gamble test (witness encouragement) is not present. Factor (5) (shielding the falsely accused) may be an issue. There may also remain for consideration a claim of grand jury abuse based on the fact that the materials would not have been readily discoverable in a civil proceeding. The parties are entitled to address that issue. The agency's disclosure requests must still satisfy the normal discovery qualifications of relevance and privilege. See R. 4:10-2(a). Of course an agency may not investigate matters or receive materials unrelated to its jurisdiction. See United States v. Morton Salt Co., 338 U.S. 632, 652-53, 70 S.Ct. 357, 369, 94 L.Ed. 401, 416 (1950); Gillhaus Beverage Co., Inc. v. Lerner, 78 N.J. 499, 510-11 (1979). At oral argument before us, the State appeared to limit its request to materials that would otherwise be readily discoverable. If so, such issues may rapidly dissipate on remand. The State may not need or want to disclose the grand jury transcripts that reveal the inner workings of the grand jury. See Matter of Grand Jury Proceedings, Miller Brew. Co., 717 F. 2d at 1139. To the extent that the transcripts include testimony of available witnesses previously disclosed to defendants in criminal discovery, no further interest in secrecy is shown. To summarize, a court should require as a prerequisite to the turnover of grand jury evidence to civil authorities, a two-step judicial determination that such a turnover will be consistent with both the policies furthered by grand jury secrecy and the deterrence of abuse of grand jury process. We find those policies clearly met with respect to defendants' records, which they seek to have returned without affording government investigators access. We find that a remand is necessary to evaluate the application of these policies in the context of the remaining materials sought to be disclosed by the State. The judgment below is affirmed in part and reversed in part. The matter is remanded to the trial court to allow consideration of any claims special to the remainder of the materials sought to be disclosed. For affirmance in part, reversal in part & remandment  Chief Justice WILENTZ, and Justices CLIFFORD, SCHREIBER, HANDLER, POLLOCK, O'HERN and GARIBALDI  7. Opposed  None.