Discovery Reform is Long Overdue
Throughout the country, states have modified criminal discovery rules to share witness statements and other evidence that makes the system fairer to those charged with criminal offenses.
December 19, 2018 at 03:23 PM
1 minute read
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo. Photo: Evan Agostini/Invision/AP
The inclusion of discovery reform in Governor Andrew Cuomo's justice agenda is a long-overdue criminal justice reform that will make criminal justice fairer and reduce the disturbingly high number of wrongful convictions in New York. Unlike civil cases where lawyers are provided detailed information about the case which enables them to investigate, prepare their cases and provide meaningful advice to their clients, current criminal discovery rules permit prosecutors to withhold critical information necessary to provide an effective defense.
Throughout the country, states have modified criminal discovery rules to share witness statements and other evidence that makes the system fairer to those charged with criminal offenses, but New York's discovery rules continue to blindfold the defense and provide a tactical advantage to prosecutors that increases the risk of unjust convictions. It is time for New York to modernize its criminal discovery laws to even the playing field.
Seymour James is a partner at Barket Epstein Kearon Aldea & LoTurco and the former attorney in chief of The Legal Aid Society of New York.
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