Opinion ID: 2348937
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: Applicable Limitations on Access to Work Product

Text: While grand jury proceedings are governed by the United States and Missouri Constitutions, statutes, and case precedent, they are not governed by the Missouri Rules of Court. [3] 19.01 states that Rules 19 to 26, inclusive, govern the procedure in all courts of this state having jurisdiction of criminal proceedings. Rule 25.01 controls discovery in such actions, stating that Rules 25.01 through 25.16 apply to all criminal cases and discovery may commence upon the filing of the indictment or information. Because grand jury proceedings do not take place following the filing of an indictment or information, these discovery rules are inapplicable. In addition to the explicit language of the rules, an analysis of the nature of grand juries reiterates the need to distinguish between criminal proceedings and grand jury proceedings. Although grand juries investigate criminal conduct and the proceedings can result in a criminal indictment, grand jury proceedings differ significantly from criminal proceedings and, therefore, require different review as to the role of work-product. Unlike criminal proceedings, [c]ommon law and the statutes generally provide that grand jury proceedings are to be conducted in secret except as modified by statute. State v. McGee, 757 S.W.2d 321, 325 (Mo.App.1988). Grand jurors and grand jury witnesses alike take oaths not to divulge information about the proceedings, and the person being investigated may not be aware of the proceedings. Id. In contrast, in criminal proceedings, the defendant is aware of the charges, and the state and the defendant both are required, in response to a reasonable request, to disclose materials and information that are relevant and material to the case. Foote v. Hart, 728 S.W.2d 295, 298 (Mo.App.1987). These reciprocal rules of discovery have had a profound impact on the exclusionary rules of privilege. State v. Carter, 641 S.W.2d 54, 57 (Mo. banc 1982). No such reciprocity exists in grand jury proceedings due to their secret nature. Finally, in criminal proceedings, discovery commences after a finding of probable cause, whereas in grand jury proceedings no validity as to the crime being investigated has been established. See United States v. R. Enterprises, Inc., 498 U.S. 292, 297, 111 S.Ct. 722, 112 L.Ed.2d 795 (1991) (emphasizing that the Government cannot be required to justify the issuance of a grand jury subpoena by presenting evidence sufficient to establish probable cause because the very purpose of requesting the information is to ascertain whether probable cause exists.). It is this secrecy, lack of reciprocity, and lack of establishment of probable cause that all distinguish grand jury proceedings from criminal proceedings. [4] As to civil proceedings, Rule 41 states that Rules 41 through 101 shall govern... civil actions. The writ at issue pertains to proceedings that may result in criminal charges, not a civil action. The trial court may administer the rules within its discretion, but is limited by the parameters of the Rules. State ex. rel Norman v. Dalton, 872 S.W.2d 888, 890 (Mo. App.1994). By the express limitations of the rules, grand jury proceedings are not governed by them. [5] Furthermore, there are no statutes applicable to work product in grand jury proceedings, and as the rules do not govern work product in grand jury proceedings, the common law controls.