Opinion ID: 1393848
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: juvenile record

Text: At the sentencing phase, the State sought to introduce Riddle's juvenile record. Riddle objected on the ground the State had failed to provide notice of its intention to offer this evidence. Citing State v. Plath , 277 S.C. 126, 284 S.E. (2d) 221 (1981), the trial judge overruled the objection. The records of Riddle's three juvenile adjudications of delinquency were published to the jury and submitted as an exhibit. Riddle contends the State's failure to give notice violates Criminal Practice Rule 8 and S.C. Code Ann. § 16-3-20 (1985). We agree. Rule 8(a)(1)(B) provides: Upon request of the defendant, the prosecution shall furnish to the defendant such copy of his criminal record, if any, as is within possession, custody or control of the prosecution, the existence of which is known, or by the exercise of due diligence may become known, to the attorney for the prosecution. Section 16-3-20(B) provides that in the sentencing phase of a capital case [o]nly such evidence in aggravation as the State has made known to the defendant in writing prior to the trial shall be admissible. Riddle filed a Rule 8 discovery request shortly after his arrest. We agree the State's omission violated Rule 8 and § 16-3-20(B). The trial court's reliance on State v. Plath, supra , was misplaced. In that case, the juvenile record of a State's witness was not turned over. This type of document does not fall under Rule 8(a)(1)(B), which addresses only the defendant's record. By the clearest of terms, Rule 8 requires that the State, upon request, furnish the defendant a copy of his criminal record. The State contends § 16-3-20(B) is inapplicable because the juvenile record was not a statutory aggravating circumstance. This distinction is without merit. The purpose of § 16-3-20(B) is to ensure the defendant in a capital case is given a fair and complete opportunity to respond to each factual allegation used by the State as a justification for a sentence of death. Due process requires that a defendant not be sentenced to death on the basis of information which he had no opportunity to deny or explain. See Gardner v. Florida , 430 U.S. 349, 97 S.Ct. 1197, 51 L.Ed. (2d) 393 (1977). We hold the admission of Riddle's juvenile record as evidence in aggravation was error. The State failed to give written notice prior to trial as required by § 16-3-20(B). Affirmed in part; reversed in part; and remanded. HARWELL, J., not participating.