Court Opinion

ID: 9843737
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-09-24 02:42:37.173665+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T09:16:53.741934
License: Public Domain

SANDSTROM, Justice,
concurring specially.
[¶ 36] I agree with the result reached by the majority and write, separately to emphasize that in this case the State Toxicologist’s office, like the Highway Patrol in State v. Fitterer, 2002 ND 170, ¶ 2, 652 N.W.2d 908, was by law and in fact closely involved in the development of the criminal case. On the other hand, the defense in this case submitted a vast discovery request containing some 146 questions and subparts, much of it bearing little relation to the requirements of Brady v. Maryland, 373 U.S. 83, 83 S.Ct. 1194, 10 L.Ed.2d 215 (1963), or Rule 16 of the North Dakota Rules of Criminal Procedure.
[¶ 37] Most of the provisions of our Rule 16 come from the corresponding Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure. N.D.R.Crim.P. 16, Explanatory Note. “When a procedural rule is patterned on a Federal rule, the Federal courts’ interpretation of the Federal rule is highly persuasive.” State v. Meier, 422 N.W.2d 381, 386 (N.D.1988) (citing State v. Valgren, 411 N.W.2d 390 (N.D.1987)).
[¶ 38] There is no doubt that there is a special responsibility for agencies involved in the investigation and preparation of the prosecution case. United States v. Bryant, 439 F.2d 642, 650 (D.C.Cir.1971) (The duty of disclosure affects not only the prosecutor but investigative agencies.). The opinion of the Court correctly points out that the duty to disclose cannot be limited by what the prosecutor chooses to place in the file. United States v. Scruggs, 583 F.2d 238, 242 (5th Cir.1978) (“Nor is the government excused from its obligation by the fact that the documents were in the possession of the FBI prior to trial.” (citations omitted)).
[¶ 39] The defense, for its part, submitted what appear to be highly burdensome interrogatories outside the scope of Brady or Rule 16. See United States v. Haldeman, 559 F.2d 31, 75 (D.C.Cir.1976) (The “discovery motion, aptly described by the District Court as a ‘sweeping and broadly phrased’ endeavor to secure ‘a tremendous array of materials,’ ignored Rule 16(b)’s admonition of reasonableness.” (footnotes omitted)); United States v. Ross, 511 F.2d 757, 762 (5th Cir.1975) (The “ ‘measure of discovery permitted by the Rules of Criminal Procedure is not intended to be as broad as in a civil case.’ ” (citations omitted)); United States v. Marshall, 532 F.2d 1279, 1285 (9th Cir.1976) (“The requirement of materiality when seeking discovery under Rule 16(b) signifies that the pretrial disclosure of the evidence in question must enable the accused to substantially alter the quantum of proof in his favor.” (citations omitted)). To the extent that the defense’s discovery requests — including the four quoted in ¶ 3 — are questions to be answered, as opposed to documents or objects to be disclosed and made “available for inspection, copying, or photographing,” they are outside the scope of Rule 16. N.D.R.Crim.P. 16(a). Perhaps the defense achieved the strategic result it was hoping for, non-response by the prosecutor. Both the defense and prosecutor are reminded that Rule 16 provides its own remedies for non-compliance with appropriate requests and for protection from unreasonable and inappropriate requests:
(d) Regulation of Discovery.
*741(1) Protective and Modifying Orders. Upon a sufficient showing the court at any time may order that the discovery or inspection be denied, restricted, or deferred or make such other order as is appropriate. Upon motion by a party, the court may permit the party to make the showing, in whole or in part, in the form of a written statement to be inspected by the court in camera. If the court enters an order granting relief following a showing in camera, the entire text of the party’s statement must be sealed and preserved in the records of the court to be made available to the appellate court in the event of an appeal.
(2) Failure to Comply With Request. If at any time during the course of the proceedings it is brought to the attention of the court that a party has failed to comply with this Rule or with an order issued pursuant to this Rule, the court may order that party to permit the discovery or inspection of materials not previously disclosed, grant a continuance, prohibit the party from introducing in evidence the material not disclosed, relieve the requesting party from making a disclosure required by this Rule, or it may enter such other order as it deems just under the circumstances. The court may specify the time, place, and manner of making the discovery and inspection and may prescribe such terms and conditions as are just.
N.D.R.Crim.P. 16.
[¶ 40] The rule does not contemplate strategic gamesmanship by either side; it requires fair and reasonable disclosure to serve the ends of justice.
[¶ 41] Dale Sandstrom