Opinion ID: 1340447
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Secrecy provisions and concerns

Text: State grand jury proceedings are secret and those involved in such proceedings are prohibited from disclosing the nature or substance of the deliberations or vote of the state grand jury, or the testimony of a witness, unless otherwise ordered by a court. S.C.Code Ann. § 14-7-1720 (Supp.2003). [5] The attorney general and other specified persons involved in grand jury proceedings may not disclose the testimony of a witness except when directed by the court in limited circumstances, including complying with constitutional, statutory, or other legal requirements or to further justice. Section 14-7-1720(A)(5). The stringent secrecy provisions contained in the Act mirror the view long held uniformly by courts nationwide that secrecy of grand jury proceedings is desirable and necessary. As the United States Supreme Court has explained in a case involving the federal grand jury system, We consistently have recognized that the proper functioning of our grand jury system depends upon the secrecy of grand jury proceedings. In particular, we have noted several distinct interests served by safeguarding the confidentiality of grand jury proceedings. First, if preindictment proceedings were made public, many prospective witnesses would be hesitant to come forward voluntarily, knowing that those against whom they testify would be aware of that testimony. Moreover, witnesses who appeared before the grand jury would be less likely to testify fully and frankly, as they would be open to retribution as well as to inducements. There also would be the risk that those about to be indicted would flee, or would try to influence individual grand jurors to vote against indictment. Finally, by preserving the secrecy of the proceedings, we assure that persons who are accused but exonerated by the grand jury will not be held up to public ridicule. United States v. Sells Engineering, Inc., 463 U.S. 418, 424, 103 S.Ct. 3133, 3138, 77 L.Ed.2d 743, 752 (1983). See also State v. Whitted, 279 S.C. 260, 305 S.E.2d 245 (1983) ([i]nvestigations and deliberations of a grand jury are conducted in secret and are, as a rule, legally sealed against divulgence), overruled on other grounds by State v. Collins, 329 S.C. 23, 495 S.E.2d 202 (1998); State v. Williams, 263 S.C. 290, 295-296, 210 S.E.2d 298, 301 (1974) (rejecting challenges under Fifth, Sixth, and Fourteenth amendments to competency and adequacy of evidence presented to grand jury, in part due to the long-established secrecy of grand jury actions and the nature and of its operations and functions); State v. Sanders, 251 S.C. 431, 437, 163 S.E.2d 220, 224 (1968) (rejecting argument that defendant should have right to have judge poll the grand jury to ensure at least twelve of them voted to indict him because such a procedure would violate the cloak of secrecy which has always been thrown around the deliberations of that body); Margolis v. Telech, 239 S.C. 232, 241, 122 S.E.2d 417, 421 (1961) (emphasizing secret nature of grand jury matters in rejecting effort of defendant in civil case to present evidence of events and testimony that allegedly occurred in presence of grand jury, which chose not to indict relative who later sued defendant for malicious prosecution); State v. Rector, 158 S.C. 212, 225, 155 S.E. 385, 390 (1930) ([a]s long as the grand jury has been known to our judicial system, and that body came with the organization of our first courts, their acts and proceedings have been regarded as almost sacredly secret; inquiry or divulgence of grand jury proceedings uniformly is prohibited, absent legislation allowing the same). The secrecy provisions applicable to a particular case are relaxed after an indictment has been issued by the state grand jury. All proceedings and testimony before the state grand jury are recorded by a court reporter, except the grand jury's deliberations and voting. A defendant is entitled to review and reproduce recorded materials of those proceedings, subject to the limitations contained in Sections 14-7-1720, 14-7-1770, and Rule 5, S.C.Crim.P. S.C.Code Ann. §§ 14-7-1700 (Supp.2003). A defendant's right to obtain such information in preparing his defense necessarily arises post-indictment. Cf. Rector, 158 S.C. at 238, 155 S.E. at 394 (person does not have right to challenge qualification of grand juror until he is indicted). Similarly, the State's petition, supporting materials, and the impaneling order may be made available to a defendant when a defendant's right to obtain recorded materials of the proceedings arises. Although maintaining secrecy is essential while a matter is under deliberation by the grand jury, such concerns diminish following issuance of a true bill of indictment. A defendant is allowed to obtain and use the impanelment documents in preparing a defense and ensuring protection of his due process rights.