Court Opinion

ID: 7588226
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2022-07-29 06:40:22.711221+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T13:38:16.363994
License: Public Domain

I would grant the writ in this case, because I do not believe that the records sought are properly discoverable.
The writ of mandamus sought by the State of Alabama Highway Department's petition should be issued, because 23 U.S.C. § 409
provides a privilege for the documents described in § 409 and that privilege is a complete bar to the admissibility or discovery of such documents. In addition, the purpose behind23 U.S.C. § 409 requires the documents described in § 409 to be protected from disclosure. Section 409 prohibits both the admissibility and the discovery of all documents described in the statute. This conclusion is mandated by the language of the statute itself, by opinions interpreting the statute, and by a comparison with other similar statutes and decisions interpreting those statutes.
Although I recognize that material can be discovered if it will lead to the discovery of admissible evidence, it is clear that privileged information is not subject to discovery. Because I believe that the information sought to be discovered here is privileged, I would grant the Alabama Highway Department's petition for writ of mandamus; consequently, I must respectfully dissent.
HOUSTON and STEAGALL, JJ., concur.