Opinion
22-CR-460 (JMF)
09-01-2022
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, v. SAKOYA BLACKWOOD, Defendant.
ORDER
JESSE M. FURMAN, UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE:
This Order is entered, pursuant to Federal Rule of Criminal Procedure 5(f) and the Due Process Protections Act, Pub. L. No 116-182, 134 Stat. 894 (Oct. 21, 2020), to confirm the Government's disclosure obligations under Brady v. Maryland, 373 U.S. 83 (1963), and its progeny, and to summarize the possible consequences of violating those obligations.
The Government must disclose to the defense all information “favorable to an accused” that is “material either to guilt or to punishment” and that is known to the Government. Id. at 87. This obligation applies regardless of whether the defendant requests this information or whether the information would itself constitute admissible evidence. The Government shall disclose such information to the defense promptly after its existence becomes known to the Government so that the defense may make effective use of the information in the preparation of its case.
As part of these obligations, the Government must disclose any information that can be used to impeach the trial testimony of a Government witness within the meaning of Giglio v. United States, 405 U.S. 150 (1972), and its progeny. Such information must be disclosed sufficiently in advance of trial in order for the defendant to make effective use of it at trial or at such other time as the Court may order.
The Government's obligations under Brady and its progeny (which this Order does not purport to summarize exhaustively) are continuing ones and apply to materials that become known to the Government in the future. Additionally, the obligations apply to qualifying information whether or not the Government credits it.
In the event the Government believes that a disclosure under this Order would compromise witness safety, victim rights, national security, a sensitive law-enforcement technique, or any other substantial government interest, it may apply to the Court for a modification of its obligations, which may include in camera review or withholding or subjecting to a protective order all or part of the information otherwise subject to disclosure. See also 18 U.S.C. app. 3 §§ 1 et seq. (providing procedures for the handling of classified information in connection with a criminal prosecution).
For purposes of this Order, the Government has an affirmative obligation to seek all information subject to disclosure from all current or former federal, state, and local prosecutors, law enforcement officers, and other officers who have participated in the prosecution, or investigation that led to the prosecution, of the offense or offenses with which the defendant is charged.
If the Government fails to comply with this Order, the Court, in addition to ordering production of the information, may:
(1) specify the terms and conditions of such production;
(2) grant a continuance;
(3) impose evidentiary sanctions;
(4) impose contempt or other sanctions on any lawyer responsible for violations of the Government's disclosure obligations, or refer the matter to disciplinary authorities;
(5) dismiss charges before trial or vacate a conviction after trial or a guilty plea; or
(6) enter any other order that is just under the circumstances.
SO ORDERED.