Court Opinion

ID: 9729352
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-26 14:32:49.25932+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T18:25:57.166357
License: Public Domain

BARNES, Judge,
dissenting.
I respectfully dissent. Although I believe the trial court here was incorrect when it seemed to state that a non-party could mever obtain grand jury transcripts, I am not persuaded that, at this point, Hinojosa has met his burden to show a "particularized need" for the transcripts. It is not clear to me that this record reflects the fact that the information sought cannot be reasonably obtained through other sources. No witnesses have been shown to be unavailable, and, although the Hammond Mayor has been less than forthcoming with his cooperation, there is no hint that the witnesses who Hinojosa believes have information have been deposed, or that an attempt has been made to depose them, or that any of the witnesses were subpoenaed to appear at his disciplinary hearing. I simply believe more effort has to be made here to secure the information before a "particularized need" is shown.
Nevertheless, should potential witnesses stonewall Hinojosa, refuse to cooperate, and in general be obstreperous, the trial court may be compelled to make a finding that a "particularized need" exists, and order the transcripts produced. I am also aware that the transcripts have been released to another non-party in a civil suit which is tangentially related to this matter.
However, grand jury proceedings are confidential for a myriad of logical reasons. I acknowledge that onee a criminal investigation has been completed, the reasons for that confidentiality abate, but certainly do not end. Fear of retribution, public embarrassment regarding the most intimate personal or business matters, and a whole host of other legitimate concerns favor the public policy of confidentiality in grand jury matters.