Court Opinion

ID: 9537790
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-07 07:24:20.409988+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T14:57:02.660689
License: Public Domain

Finley, J.
(concurring) — The phrase, “trial from ambush,” pretty well characterizes a certain viewpoint or nostalgic legal philosophy accorded considerable credence in the not too distant past. The viewpoint, belatedly, can be evaluated as both irrational and archaic — a hangover from a more immature era in our evolving Anglo-American system of jurisprudence. Today, through the implementation of discovery and pretrial techniques, “trial from ambush” may be eliminated, or at least substantially circumvented, as the modus operandi in the trial and disposition of disputes between citizens, and in other civil causes of action.
It seems to me that in criminal cases there is even more reason than in civil cases for giving less leeway and sway to the notions of “trial from ambush.” For this reason, and others which seem convincing to me, I have signed the majority opinion and, likewise, have concurred in the views of Judge Rosellini.