Opinion ID: 2635680
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 10

Heading: This court examines two elements in determining whether the district court abused its discretion by denying a request for a certificate of materiality

Text: This court has established that the inquiry into whether a district court abused its discretion by denying a request for a certificate of materiality is twofold. See Wilson v. State, 121 Nev. 345, 367-68, 114 P.3d 285, 300 (2005). First, this court must determine whether substantial evidence supports the district court's findings that the moving party failed to demonstrate that the evidence is material to the defendant's case. Second, we must determine whether substantial evidence supports the district court's findings that the moving party failed to demonstrate that the absence of the evidence prejudiced the defense. Id. Wyman argues that the district court erroneously concluded that she failed to demonstrate her burden of materiality and prejudice under Nevada's Uniform Act. Wyman maintains that she effectively established that Dunn's mental health records were material to her case for various reasons, including: Dunn was the State's only witness who named Wyman as the person responsible for J.W.'s death, Dunn's allegations were cultivated during her mental health treatment, Dunn admitted to being suicidal in the past, and Dunn had a mental breakdown the same year that she related her allegations. Moreover, in light of Dunn's questionable mental health stability, Wyman argues that her defense was prejudiced in the absence of Dunn's records because she was unable to fully defend herself against the State's case. The State maintains that the district court properly denied Wyman's request for Dunn's mental health records because Wyman supports her materiality claim with only conclusory facts, rather than actual knowledge that Dunn's mental health records contain information that would assist Wyman in her defense. The State also notes that the district court did not err in rendering its decision because Dunn's mental health records are privileged and Dunn has not waived that privilege. Yet, even if the district court abused its discretion with respect to Wyman's materiality showing, the State further argues, Wyman has failed to demonstrate that her defense was prejudiced.