Opinion ID: 1468456
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 8

Heading: Right to Call Witnesses.

Text: [33] The defendants argue that they were denied the right to call witnesses in their behalf because the trial court refused to grant immunity to, or seal the testimony of, defense witnesses who invoked the fifth amendment. Defendants cite no authority for their position that an order to testify coupled with an offer to seal the testimony would override one's fifth amendment rights. In effect, defendants ask us to fashion a judicial form of immunity. This we will not do. Under the immunity presently available, a trial court does not have the power to grant immunity on its own, or to require the government to seek immunity for defense witnesses. RSA 516:34. Finally, there is no merit to the argument that a defendant has a constitutional right to have immunity conferred upon a defense witness who exercises his privilege against self-incrimination. United States v. Ramsey, 503 F.2d 524, 532 (7th Cir. 1974), cert. denied, 420 U.S. 932 (1975); accord, Earl v. United States, 361 F.2d 531 (D.C. Cir. 1966). It is to be noted that the state did not secure any of its evidence by means of an immunity grant. United States v. Allstate Mortgage Corp., 507 F.2d 492, 494-95 (7th Cir. 1974).