What is Discovery in Criminal Law
The term discovery is very common in law and more specifically criminal law. If you are or have been a keen follower of criminal law then there is a good chance you have heard this word either in court or in discussions between lawyers and judicial officers. The term itself is very common but comes with a hidden meaning that might be somehow difficult for normal or people who are not well versed with legal terminologies to decipher. This might lead to some inappropriate use of the term which might put the use in a somehow awkward position. In this view therefore, this text takes deeper look at discovery law as often used in criminal law to help you understand it and know what it means.
Discovery can be best described as the process of exchanging information in form of evidence between the defense and prosecution before a trial of a criminal case. This process is very crucial in any legal proceeding process as it ensures a fair trial that is not biased and fair to all people involved in the case. While a discovery in any criminal case is such an important process, it works more to the advantage of the defendant ensuring a free and fair trial that ensures that the defendant is judged strictly based on facts and the strictest application of the law.
The Main Purpose of a Discovery in a Criminal Trial
The discovery might seem like a very trivial thing in any court proceeding but that is not the case contrary to the general belief. A discovery in any criminal case serves the important role of ensuring that there are no surprises in court. It helps each one of the sides involved in the criminal case or trial to know the kind of evidence that will be presented in court which brings about a focused and efficient trial.
Apart from that, a discovery in a criminal trial also ensures contributes a lot to promoting a fair trial especially for the defendant. It does so by ensuring that each one of the parties involved in the trial gain valuable access to all the important details and materials in the lawsuit. This in turn prevents either of the sides involved in the trial or lawsuit from gaining an unfair advantage. This way, the defendant can proceed to the trial with confidence knowing that they will get a fair trial that will result in a just ruling in the end.
As a defendant in any case, it is important to know what exactly is exchanged in a discovery. Having this knowledge will help you figure out the strength of your case which will help you know how to plead. Some of the materials exchanged during a discovery in a criminal case include witness statements, physical evidence, police reports, and exculpatory evidence.
Final Thoughts
A discovery is an essential part of any criminal trial process. It ensures that the defendant gets a free and fair hearing in a criminal case with a fair ruling at the end of it all. As a defendant in any criminal trial process, it is important to know what the discovery is and the details entailed in it.
