FEDERAL RULES OF CRIMINAL PROCEDURE - 2007
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Rules Table of Contents
TITLE IV Arraignment And Preparation For Trial (Fed. Rules Crim. Proc. 10-17.1)
Rule
10 Arraignment
Rule 11
Pleas
Rule 12
Pleadings and Pretrial Motions
Rule 12.1
Notice of an Alibi Defense
Rule 12.2
Notice of an Insanity Defense; Mental Examination
Rule 12.3
Notice of a Public-Authority Defense
Rule 12.4 Disclosure Statement
Rule 13
Joint Trial of Separate Cases
Rule 14
Relief From Prejudicial Joinder
Rule 15
Depositions
Rule 16
Discovery And Inspection
Rule 17
Subpoena
Rule 17.1
Pretrial Conference
FEDERAL RULES OF CRIMINAL PROCEDURE - 2007
Rule 10 Arraignment
(a) In General. An arraignment must be conducted in open court and must consist of:
(1) ensuring that the defendant has a copy of the indictment or information;
(2) reading the indictment or information to the defendant or stating to the defendant the substance of the charge; and then
(3) asking the defendant to plead to the indictment or information.
(b) Waiving Appearance. A defendant need not be present for the arraignment if:
(1) the defendant has been charged by indictment or misdemeanor information;
(2) the defendant, in a written waiver signed by both the defendant and defense counsel, has waived appearance and has affirmed that the defendant received a copy of the indictment or information and that the plea is not guilty; and
(3) the court accepts the waiver.
(c) Video Teleconferencing. Video teleconferencing may be used to arraign a defendant if the defendant consents.
History:
(As amended Mar. 9, 1987, eff. Aug. 1, 1987; Apr. 29, 2002, eff. Dec. 1, 2002.)
COMMITTEE NOTE - 2002 REVISIONS
The language of Rule 10 has been amended as part of the general restyling of the Criminal Rules to make them more easily understood and to make style and terminology consistent throughout the rules. These changes are intended to be stylistic only.
REPORTER'S NOTES - 2002 REVISIONS
In publishing the "style" changes to the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure, the Committee decided to publish separately any rule that includes what it considered at least one major substantive change. The purpose for this separate publication was to highlight for the bench and the bar any proposed amendments that the Committee believes will result in significant changes in current practice. Rule 10 was one of those rules. Another version of Rule 10, which includes several significant changes, was published simultaneously in a separate pamphlet. That version includes a proposed amendment that would permit a defendant to waive altogether an appearance at the arraignment and another amendment that would permit use of video teleconferencing for arraignments. [On April 29, 2002, the Supreme Court approved the version of the rule contained in the "substantive" package.]
FEDERAL RULES OF CRIMINAL PROCEDURE - 2007
Rule 11 Pleas
(a) Entering a Plea.
(1) In General. A defendant may plead not guilty, guilty, or (with the court’s consent) nolo contendere.
(2) Conditional Plea. With the consent of the court and the government, a defendant may enter a conditional plea of guilty or nolo contendere, reserving in writing the right to have an appellate court review an adverse determination of a specified pretrial motion. A defendant who prevails on appeal may then withdraw the plea.
(3) Nolo Contendere Plea. Before accepting a plea of nolo contendere, the court must consider the parties’ views and the public interest in the effective administration of justice.
(4) Failure to Enter a Plea. If a defendant refuses to enter a plea or if a defendant organization fails to appear, the court must enter a plea of not guilty.
(b) Considering and Accepting a Guilty or Nolo Contendere Plea.
(1) Advising and Questioning the Defendant. Before the court accepts a plea of guilty or nolo contendere, the defendant may be placed under oath, and the court must address the defendant personally in open court. During this address, the court must inform the defendant of, and determine that the defendant understands, the following:
(A) the government’s right, in a prosecution for perjury or false statement, to use against the defendant any statement that the defendant gives under oath;
(B) the right to plead not guilty, or having already so pleaded, to persist in that plea;
(C) the right to a jury trial;
(D) the right to be represented by counsel—and if necessary have the court appoint counsel—at trial and at every other stage of the proceeding;
(E) the right at trial to confront and cross-examine adverse witnesses, to be protected from compelled self-incrimination, to testify and present evidence, and to compel the attendance of witnesses;
(F) the defendant’s waiver of these trial rights if the court accepts a plea of guilty or nolo contendere;
(G) the nature of each charge to which the defendant is pleading;
(H) any maximum possible penalty, including imprisonment, fine, and term of supervised release;
(I) any mandatory minimum penalty;
(J) any applicable forfeiture;
(K) the court’s authority to order restitution;
(L) the court’s obligation to impose a special assessment;
(M) in determining a sentence, the court's obligation to calculate the applicable sentencing-guideline range and to consider that range, possible departures under the Sentencing Guidelines, and other sentencing factors under 18 USC 3553(a); and
(N) the terms of any plea-agreement provision waiving the right to appeal or to collaterally attack the sentence.
(2) Ensuring That a Plea Is Voluntary. Before accepting a plea of guilty or nolo contendere, the court must address the defendant personally in open court and determine that the plea is voluntary and did not result from force, threats, or promises (other than promises in a plea agreement).
(3) Determining the Factual Basis for a Plea. Before entering judgment on a guilty plea, the court must determine that there is a factual basis for the plea.
(c) Plea Agreement Procedure.
(1) In General. An attorney for the government and the defendant’s attorney, or the defendant when proceeding pro se, may discuss and reach a plea agreement. The court must not participate in these discussions. If the defendant pleads guilty or nolo contendere to either a charged offense or a lesser or related offense, the plea agreement may specify that an attorney for the government will:
(A) not bring, or will move to dismiss, other charges;
(B) recommend, or agree not to oppose the defendant’s request, that a particular sentence or sentencing range is appropriate or that a particular provision of the Sentencing Guidelines, or policy statement, or sentencing factor does or does not apply (such a recommendation or request does not bind the court); or
(C) agree that a specific sentence or sentencing range is the appropriate disposition of the case, or that a particular provision of the Sentencing Guidelines, or policy statement, or sentencing factor does or does not apply (such a recommendation or request binds the court once the court accepts the plea agreement).
(2) Disclosing a Plea Agreement. The parties must disclose the plea agreement in open court when the plea is offered, unless the court for good cause allows the parties to disclose the plea agreement in camera.
(3) Judicial Consideration of a Plea Agreement.
(A) To the extent the plea agreement is of the type specified in Rule 11(c)(1)(A) or (C), the court may accept the agreement, reject it, or defer a decision until the court has reviewed the presentence report.
(B) To the extent the plea agreement is of the type specified in Rule 11(c)(1)(B), the court must advise the defendant that the defendant has no right to withdraw the plea if the court does not follow the recommendation or request.
(4) Accepting a Plea Agreement. If the court accepts the plea agreement, it must inform the defendant that to the extent the plea agreement is of the type specified in Rule 11(c)(1)(A) or (C), the agreed disposition will be included in the judgment.
(5) Rejecting a Plea Agreement. If the court rejects a plea agreement containing provisions of the type specified in Rule 11(c)(1)(A) or (C), the court must do the following on the record and in open court (or, for good cause, in camera):(A) inform the parties that the court rejects the plea agreement;
(B) advise the defendant personally that the court is not required to follow the plea agreement and give the defendant an opportunity to withdraw the plea; and
(C) advise the defendant personally that if the plea is not withdrawn, the court may dispose of the case less favorably toward the defendant than the plea agreement contemplated.
(d) Withdrawing a Guilty or Nolo Contendere Plea. A defendant may withdraw a plea of guilty or nolo contendere:
(1) before the court accepts the plea, for any reason or no reason; or
(2) after the court accepts the plea, but before it imposes sentence if:
(A) the court rejects a plea agreement under Rule 11(c)(5); or
(B) the defendant can show a fair and just reason for requesting the withdrawal.
(e) Finality of a Guilty or Nolo Contendere Plea. After the court imposes sentence, the defendant may not withdraw a plea of guilty or nolo contendere, and the plea may be set aside only on direct appeal or collateral attack.
(f) Admissibility or Inadmissibility of a Plea, Plea Discussions, and Related Statements. The admissibility or inadmissibility of a plea, a plea discussion, and any related statement is governed by Federal Rule of Evidence 410.
(g) Recording the Proceedings. The proceedings during which the defendant enters a plea must be recorded by a court reporter or by a suitable recording device. If there is a guilty plea or a nolo contendere plea, the record must include the inquiries and advice to the defendant required under Rule 11(b) and (c).
(h) Harmless Error. A variance from the requirements of this rule is harmless error if it does not affect substantial rights.
History:
(As amended Feb. 28, 1966, eff. July 1, 1966; Apr. 22, 1974, eff. Dec. 1, 1975; July 31, 1975,
P.L. 94-64, §§ 2, 3(5)-(10), 89 Stat. 371, 372 eff. Aug. 1 and Dec. 1, 1975; Apr. 30, 1979,
eff. Aug. 1, 1979, and Dec. 1, 1980; Apr. 28, 1982, eff. Aug. 1, 1982; Apr. 28, 1983, eff. Aug. 1, 1983; Apr. 29, 1985, eff. Aug. 1, 1985; Mar. 9, 1987,
eff. Aug. 1, 1987; Nov. 18, 1988, P.L. 100-690, Title VII, Subtitle B, § 7076,
102 Stat. 4406; Apr. 25, 1989, eff. Dec. 1, 1989; Apr. 26, 1999, eff. Dec. 1, 1999; Apr. 29, 2002, eff. Dec. 1,
2002; Dec. 1, 2007.)
RELATED FORECITE National™ MATERIALS:
See FORECITE National™ 1.2.2 [Instruction Preparation Helps With Plea Bargaining].
See FORECITE National™ 16.18.2 [Disposition Of Charges: Distinction As To Whether The Plea Of The Codefendant Was Made Before Or During Trial].
See FORECITE National™ 19.4.2 [Jury Not To Consider The Guilty Plea Of An Accomplice Or Codefendant].
See FORECITE National™ 83.3.13.4 [Limiting Instruction When Prosecution Elicits Alleged Coconspirator’s Guilty Plea Or Conviction Of The Same Charge For Which The Defendant Is On Trial].
See FORECITE National™ 270.2.14 [Improper To Instruct That Plea Of Not Guilty Constitutes A Denial Of Every Material Allegation In The Charges].
COMMITTEE NOTE - 2002 REVISIONS
The language of Rule 11 has been amended and reorganized as part of the general restyling of the Criminal Rules to make them more easily understood and to make style and terminology consistent throughout the rules. These changes are intended to be stylistic only, except as noted below.
Amended Rule 11(b)(1) requires the court to apprise the defendant of his or her rights before accepting a plea of guilty or nolo contendere. The Committee determined to expand upon the incomplete listing in the current rule of the elements of the "maximum possible penalty" and any "mandatory minimum" penalty to include advice as to the maximum or minimum term of imprisonment, forfeiture, fine, and special assessment, in addition to the two types of maximum and minimum penalties presently enumerated: restitution and supervised release. The outmoded reference to a term of "special parole" has been eliminated.
Amended Rule 11(b)(2), formerly Rule 11(d), covers the issue of determining that the plea is voluntary, and not the result of force, threats, or promises (other than those in a plea agreement). The reference to an inquiry in current Rule 11(d) whether the plea has resulted from plea discussions with the government has been deleted. That reference, which was often a source of confusion to defendants who were clearly pleading guilty as part of a plea agreement with the government, was considered unnecessary.
Rule 11(c)(1)(A) includes a change, which recognizes a common type of plea agreement — that the government will "not bring" other charges.
The Committee considered whether to address the practice in some courts of using judges to facilitate plea agreements. The current rule states that "the court shall not participate in any discussions between the parties concerning such plea agreement." Some courts apparently believe that that language acts as a limitation only upon the judge taking the defendant's plea and thus permits other judges to serve as facilitators for reaching a plea agreement between the government and the defendant. See, e.g.,
United States v. Torres, 999 F.2d 376, 378 (9th Cir. 1993) (noting practice and concluding that presiding judge had not participated in a plea agreement that had resulted from discussions involving another judge). The Committee decided to leave the Rule as it is with the understanding that doing so was in no way intended either to approve or disapprove the existing law interpreting that provision.
Amended Rules 11(c)(3) to (5) address the topics of consideration, acceptance, and rejection of a plea agreement. The amendments are not intended to make any change in practice. The topics are discussed separately because in the past there has been some question about the possible interplay between the court's consideration of the guilty plea in conjunction with a plea agreement and sentencing and the ability of the defendant to withdraw a plea. See
United States v. Hyde, 520 U.S. 670 (1997) (holding that plea and plea agreement need not be accepted or rejected as a single unit; "guilty pleas can be accepted while plea agreements are deferred, and the acceptance of the two can be separated in time."). Similarly, the Committee decided to more clearly spell out in Rule 11(d) and 11(e) the ability of the defendant to withdraw a plea. See
United States v. Hyde, supra.
Amended Rule 11(e) is a new provision, taken from current Rule 32(e), that addresses the finality of a guilty or nolo contendere plea after the court imposes sentence. The provision makes it clear that it is not possible for a defendant to withdraw a plea after sentence is imposed.
The reference to a "motion under 28 USC 2255" has been changed to the broader term "collateral attack" to recognize that in some instances a court may grant collateral relief under provisions other than
2255. See United States v. Jeffers, 234 F.3d 277 (5th Cir. 2000) (petition under
2241 may be appropriate where remedy under 2255 is ineffective or inadequate).
Currently, Rule 11(e)(5) requires that unless good cause is shown, the parties are to give pretrial notice to the court that a plea agreement exists. That provision has been deleted. First, the Committee believed that although the provision was originally drafted to assist judges, under current practice few counsel would risk the consequences in the ordinary case of not informing the court that an agreement exists. Secondly, the Committee was concerned that there might be rare cases where the parties might agree that informing the court of the existence of an agreement might endanger a defendant or compromise an ongoing investigation in a related case. In the end, the Committee believed that, on balance, it would be preferable to remove the provision and reduce the risk of pretrial disclosure.
Finally, revised Rule 11(f), which addresses the issue of admissibility or inadmissibility of pleas and statements made during the plea inquiry, cross references Federal Rule of Evidence 410.
FEDERAL RULES OF CRIMINAL PROCEDURE - 2007
Rule 12 Pleadings and Pretrial Motions
(a) Pleadings. The pleadings in a criminal proceeding are the indictment, the information, and the pleas of not guilty, guilty, and nolo contendere.
(b) Pretrial Motions.
(1) In General. Rule 47 applies to a pretrial motion.
(2) Motions That May Be Made Before Trial. A party may raise by pretrial motion any defense, objection, or request that the court can determine without a trial of the general issue.
(3) Motions That Must Be Made Before Trial. The following must be raised before trial:
(A) a motion alleging a defect in instituting the prosecution;
(B) a motion alleging a defect in the indictment or information —but at any time while the case is pending, the court may hear a claim that the indictment or information fails to invoke the court’s jurisdiction or to state an offense;
(C) a motion to suppress evidence;
(D) a Rule 14 motion to sever charges or defendants; and
(E) a Rule 16 motion for discovery.
(4) Notice of the Government's Intent to Use Evidence.
(A) At the Government’s Discretion. At the arraignment or as soon afterward as practicable, the government may notify the defendant of its intent to use specified evidence at trial in order to afford the defendant an opportunity to object before trial under Rule 12(b)(3)(C).
(B) At the Defendant’s Request. At the arraignment or as soon afterward as practicable, the defendant may, in order to have an opportunity to move to suppress evidence under Rule 12(b)(3)(C), request notice of the government’s intent to use (in its evidence-in-chief at trial) any evidence that the defendant may be entitled to discover under Rule 16.
(c) Motion Deadline. The court may, at the arraignment or as
soon afterward as practicable, set a deadline for the parties to
make pretrial motions and may also schedule a motion hearing.
(d) Ruling on a Motion. The court must decide every pretrial motion before trial unless it finds good cause to defer a ruling. The court must not defer ruling on a pretrial motion if the deferral will adversely affect a party’s right to appeal. When factual issues are involved in deciding a motion, the court must state its essential findings on the record.
(e) Waiver of a Defense, Objection, or Request. A party waives any Rule 12(b)(3) defense, objection, or request not raised by the deadline the court sets under Rule 12(c) or by any extension the court provides. For good cause, the court may grant relief from the waiver.
(f) Recording the Proceedings. All proceedings at a motion hearing, including any findings of fact and conclusions of law made orally by the court, must be recorded by a court reporter or a suitable recording device.
(g) Defendant's Continued Custody or Release Status. If the court grants a motion to dismiss based on a defect in instituting the prosecution, in the indictment, or in the information, it may order the defendant to be released or detained under 18 USC 3142 for a specified time until a new indictment or information is filed. This rule does not affect any federal statutory period of limitations.
(h) Producing Statements at a Suppression Hearing. Rule 26.2 applies at a suppression hearing under Rule 12(b)(3)(C). At a suppression hearing, a law enforcement officer is considered a government witness.
History:
(As amended Apr. 22, 1974, eff. Dec. 1, 1975; July 31, 1975, P.L. 94-64, § 3(11), (12), 89 Stat. 372eff. Dec. 1, 1975; Apr. 28, 1983, eff. Aug. 1, 1983; Mar. 9, 1987, eff. Aug. 1, 1987; Apr. 22, 1993, eff. Dec. 1, 1993; Apr. 29, 2002, eff. Dec. 1, 2002.)
COMMITTEE NOTE - 2002 REVISIONS
The language of Rule 12 has been amended as part of the general restyling of the Criminal Rules to make them more easily understood and to make style and terminology consistent throughout the rules. These changes are intended to be stylistic only, except as noted below.
The last sentence of current Rule 12(a), referring to the elimination of "all other pleas, and demurrers and motions to quash" has been deleted as unnecessary.
Rule 12(b) is modified to more clearly indicate that Rule 47 governs any pretrial motions filed under Rule 12, including form and content. The new provision also more clearly delineates those motions that must be filed pretrial and those that may be filed pretrial. No change in practice is intended.
Rule 12(b)(4) is composed of what is currently Rule 12(d). The Committee believed that that provision, which addresses the government's requirement to disclose discoverable information for the purpose of facilitating timely defense objections and motions, was more appropriately associated with the pretrial motions specified in Rule 12(b)(3).
Rule 12(c) includes a non-stylistic change. The reference to the "local rule" exception has been deleted to make it clear that judges should be encouraged to set deadlines for motions. The Committee believed that doing so promotes more efficient case management, especially when there is a heavy docket of pending cases. Although the rule permits some discretion in setting a date for motion hearings, the Committee believed that doing so at an early point in the proceedings would also promote judicial economy.
Moving the language in current Rule 12(d) caused the relettering of the subdivisions following Rule 12(c).
Although amended Rule 12(e) is a revised version of current Rule 12(f), the Committee intends to make no change in the current law regarding waivers of motions or defenses.
FEDERAL RULES OF CRIMINAL PROCEDURE - 2007
Rule 12.1 Notice of an Alibi Defense
(a) Government.s Request for Notice and Defendant.s Response.
(1) Government.s Request. An attorney for the government may request in writing that the defendant notify an attorney for the government of any intended alibi defense. The request must state the time, date, and place of the alleged offense.
(2) Defendant.s Response. Within 10 days after the request, or at some other time the court sets, the defendant must serve written notice on an attorney for the government of any intended alibi defense. The defendant’s notice must state:
(A) each specific place where the defendant claims to have been at the time of the alleged offense; and
(B) the name, address, and telephone number of each alibi witness on whom the defendant intends to rely.
(b) Disclosing Government Witnesses.
(1) Disclosure. If the defendant serves a Rule 12.1(a)(2) notice, an attorney for the government must disclose in writing to the defendant or the defendant’s attorney:
(A) the name, address, and telephone number of each witness the government intends to rely on to establish the defendant’s presence at the scene of the alleged offense; and
(B) each government rebuttal witness to the defendant’s alibi defense.
(2) Time to Disclose. Unless the court directs otherwise, an attorney for the government must give its Rule 12.1(b)(1) disclosure within 10 days after the defendant serves notice of an intended alibi defense under Rule 12.1(a)(2), but no later than 10 days before trial.
(c) Continuing Duty to Disclose. Both an attorney for the government and the defendant must promptly disclose in writing to the other party the name, address, and telephone number of each additional witness if:
(1) the disclosing party learns of the witness before or during trial; and
(2) the witness should have been disclosed under Rule 12.1(a) or (b) if the disclosing party had known of the witness earlier.
(d) Exceptions. For good cause, the court may grant an exception to any requirement of Rule 12.1(a)–(c).
(e) Failure to Comply. If a party fails to comply with this rule, the court may exclude the testimony of any undisclosed witness regarding the defendant’s alibi. This rule does not limit the defendant’s right to testify.
(f) Inadmissibility of Withdrawn Intention. Evidence of an intention to rely on an alibi defense, later withdrawn, or of a statement made in connection with that intention, is not, in any civil or criminal proceeding, admissible against the person who gave notice of the intention.
History:
(As added Apr. 22, 1974, eff. Dec. 1, 1975; amended July 31, 1975, P.L. 94-64,
§ 3(13), 89 Stat. 372eff. Dec. 1, 1975; Apr. 29, 1985, eff. Aug. 1, 1985; Mar. 9, 1987, eff. Aug.
1, 1987; Apr. 29, 2002, eff. Dec. 1, 2002.)
RELATED FORECITE National™ MATERIALS:
See FORECITE National™ 19.3.11 [When Alibi Is Not Raised By All Codefendants In Multi-Defendant Trial].
See also FORECITE National™ 34.4.13 [Disbelief Of Alibi Evidence: Jury May Only Consider As Consciousness Of Guilt If Prosecution Presents Independent Proof Of Fabrication].
See also FORECITE National™ 38.1.3 [Accomplice Corroboration: False Alibi Insufficient].
See also FORECITE National™ 95.3.3 [Perjury: Collateral Estoppel Precludes Charge Of Perjury Based On Alibi Testimony].
See also FORECITE National™ 251.2 [Alibi].
See also FORECITE National™ 305.1.10 [Alibi].
COMMITTEE NOTE - 2002 REVISIONS
The language of Rule 12.1 has been amended as part of the general restyling of the Criminal Rules to make them more easily understood and to make style and terminology consistent throughout the rules. These changes are intended to be stylistic only, except as noted below.
Current Rules12.1(d) and 12.1(e) have been switched in the amended rule to improve the organization of the rule.
Finally, the amended rule includes a new requirement that in providing the names and addresses of alibi and any rebuttal witnesses, the parties must also provide the phone numbers of those witnesses. See Rule 12.1(a)(2), Rule 12.1(b)(1), and Rule 12.1(c). The Committee believed that requiring such information would facilitate locating and interviewing those witnesses.
FEDERAL RULES OF CRIMINAL PROCEDURE - 2007
Rule 12.2 Notice of an Insanity Defense; Mental Examination
(a) Notice of an Insanity Defense. A defendant who intends to assert a defense of insanity at the time of the alleged offense must so notify an attorney for the government in writing within the time provided for filing a pretrial motion, or at any later time the court sets, and file a copy of the notice with the clerk. A defendant who fails to do so cannot rely on an insanity defense. The court may, for good cause, allow the defendant to file the notice late, grant additional trial-preparation time, or make other appropriate orders.
(b) Notice of Expert Evidence of a Mental Condition. If a defendant intends to introduce expert evidence relating to a mental disease or defect or any other mental condition of the defendant bearing on either (1) the issue of guilt or (2) the issue of punishment in a capital case, the defendant must—within the time provided for filing a pretrial motion or at any later time the court sets—notify an attorney for the government in writing of this intention and file a copy of the notice with the clerk. The court may, for good cause, allow the defendant to file the notice late, grant the parties additional trial-preparation time, or make other appropriate orders.
(c) Mental Examination.
(1) Authority to Order an Examination; Procedures.
(A) The court may order the defendant to submit to a competency examination under 18 USC 4241.
(B) If the defendant provides notice under Rule 12.2(a), the court must, upon the government’s motion, order the defendant to be examined under 18 USC 4242. If the defendant provides notice under Rule 12.2(b) the court may, upon the government’s motion, order the defendant to be examined under procedures ordered by the court.
(2) Disclosing Results and Reports of Capital Sentencing Examination. The results and reports of any examination conducted solely under Rule 12.2(c)(1) after notice under Rule 12.2(b)(2) must be sealed and must not be disclosed to any attorney for the government or the defendant unless the defendant is found guilty of one or more capital crimes and the defendant confirms an intent to offer during sentencing proceedings expert evidence on mental condition.
(3) Disclosing Results and Reports of the Defendant's Expert Examination. After disclosure under Rule 12.2(c)(2) of the results and reports of the government’s examination, the defendant must disclose to the government the results and reports of any examination on mental condition conducted by the defendant’s expert about which the defendant intends to introduce expert evidence.
(4) Inadmissibility of a Defendant's Statements. No statement made by a defendant in the course of any examination conducted under this rule (whether conducted with or without the defendant’s consent), no testimony by the expert based on the statement, and no other fruits of the statement may be admitted into evidence against the defendant in any criminal proceeding except on an issue regarding mental condition on which the defendant:
(A) has introduced evidence of incompetency or evidence requiring notice under Rule 12.2(a) or (b)(1), or
(B) has introduced expert evidence in a capital sentencing proceeding requiring notice under Rule 12.2(b)(2).
(d) Failure to Comply.
(1) Failure to Give Notice or to Submit to Examination. The court may exclude any expert evidence from the defendant on the issue of the defendant's mental disease, mental defect, or any other mental condition bearing on the defendant's guilt or the issue of punishment in a capital case if the defendant fails to:
(A) give notice under Rule 12.2(b); or
(B) submit to an examination when ordered under Rule 12.2(c).
(2) Failure to Disclose. The court may exclude any expert evidence for which the defendant has failed to comply with the disclosure requirement of Rule 12.2(c)(3).
(e) Inadmissibility of Withdrawn Intention. Evidence of an intention as to which notice was given under Rule Rule 12.2(a) or (b), later withdrawn, is not, in any civil or criminal proceeding, admissible against the person who gave notice of the intention.
History:
(As added Apr. 22, 1974, eff. Dec. 1, 1975; amended July 31, 1975, P.L. 94-64, §§ 2, 3(14), 89 Stat. 370, 373 eff. Dec. 1, 1975; Apr. 28, 1983, eff. Aug. 1, 1983; Oct. 12, 1984, P.L. 98-473, Title II, Ch IV, § 404, 98 Stat. 2067; Oct. 30, 1984, P.L. 98-596, § 11(a), (b), 98 Stat. 3138; Apr. 29, 1985, eff. Aug. 1, 1985; Nov. 10, 1986 P.L. 99-646, § 24, 100 Stat. 3597; Mar. 9, 1987, eff. Aug. 1, 1987; Apr. 29, 2002, eff. Dec. 1, 2002; Dec. 1, 2005.)
RELATED FORECITE National™ MATERIALS:
See FORECITE National™ 10.1.4 [Voir Dire Of Jurors As To Opinion Of Insanity Defense].
See also FORECITE National™ 29.1.9 [Expert Testimony: Improper Prosecutorial Comment On Failure Of Expert To Testify Regarding Whether Defendant Did Or Did Not Have Required Mental State As Misconduct].
See also FORECITE National™ 253.4.10.6 [Self Defense: Expert Testimony Regarding Defendant’s Mental Retardation].
See also FORECITE National™ 256.4 [Insanity].
See also FORECITE National™ 256.6.1.12 [Activation Of Mental Disease Or Insanity By Use Of Alcohol Or Drugs].
See also FORECITE National™ 256.6.3.2 [Voluntary Intoxication: Expert Testimony Regarding Defendant's Formation Of Mental State].
See also FORECITE National™ 256.7.1.5 [Expert Testimony Regarding Defendant's Formation Of Mental State].
See also FORECITE National™ 305.9.6 [Insanity].
COMMITTEE NOTE - 2002 REVISIONS
The language of Rule 12.2 has been amended as part of the general restyling of the Criminal Rules to make them more easily understood and to make style and terminology consistent throughout the rules. These changes are intended to be stylistic only.
REPORTER'S NOTES - 2002 REVISIONS
In publishing the "style" changes to the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure, the Committee decided to publish separately any rule that includes what it considered at least one major substantive change. The purpose for this separate publication was to highlight for the bench and the bar any proposed amendments that the Committee believes will result in significant changes in current practice. Rule 12.2 was one of those rules. Although this version of Rule 12.2 contains only "style" changes, another version of the rule is included in the "substantive" package. That version of Rule 12.2 includes five significant amendments. [On April 29, 2002, the Supreme Court approved the version of the rule contained in the "substantive" package.]
FEDERAL RULES OF CRIMINAL PROCEDURE - 2007
Rule 12.3 Notice of a Public-Authority Defense
(a) Notice of the Defense and Disclosure of Witnesses.
(1) Notice in General. If a defendant intends to assert a defense of actual or believed exercise of public authority on behalf of a law enforcement agency or federal intelligence agency at the time of the alleged offense, the defendant must so notify an attorney for the government in writing and must file a copy of the notice with the clerk within the time provided for filing a pretrial motion, or at any later time the court sets. The notice filed with the clerk must be under seal if the notice identifies a federal intelligence agency as the source of public authority.
(2) Contents of Notice. The notice must contain the following information:
(A) the law enforcement agency or federal intelligence agency involved;
(B) the agency member on whose behalf the defendant claims to have acted; and
(C) the time during which the defendant claims to have acted with public authority.
(3) Response to the Notice. An attorney for the government must serve a written response on the defendant or the defendant’s attorney within 10 days after receiving the defendant’s notice, but no later than 20 days before trial. The response must admit or deny that the defendant exercised the public authority identified in the defendant’s notice.
(4) Disclosing Witnesses.
(A) Government’s Request. An attorney for the government may request in writing that the defendant disclose the name, address, and telephone number of each witness the defendant intends to rely on to establish a public-authority defense. An attorney for the government may serve the request when the government serves its response to the defendant’s notice under Rule 12.3(a)(3), or later, but must serve the request no later than 20 days before trial.
(B) Defendant’s Response. Within 7 days after receiving the government’s request, the defendant must serve on an attorney for the government a written statement of the name, address, and telephone number of each witness.
(C) Government’s Reply. Within 7 days after receiving the defendant’s statement, an attorney for the government must serve on the defendant or the defendant’s attorney a written statement of the name, address, and telephone number of each witness the government intends to rely on to oppose the defendant’s public-authority defense.
(5) Additional Time. The court may, for good cause, allow a party additional time to comply with this rule.
(b) Continuing Duty to Disclose. Both an attorney for the government and the defendant must promptly disclose in writing to the other party the name, address, and telephone number of any additional witness if:
(1) the disclosing party learns of the witness before or during trial; and
(2) the witness should have been disclosed under Rule 12.3(a)(4) if the disclosing party had known of the witness earlier.
(c) Failure to Comply. If a party fails to comply with this rule, the court may exclude the testimony of any undisclosed witness regarding the public-authority defense. This rule does not limit the defendant’s right to testify.
(d) Protective Procedures Unaffected. This rule does not limit the court’s authority to issue appropriate protective orders or to order that any filings be under seal.
(e) Inadmissibility of Withdrawn Intention. Evidence of an intention as to which notice was given under Rule 12.3(a), later withdrawn, is not, in any civil or criminal proceeding, admissible against the person who gave notice of the intention.
History:
(As added Nov. 18, 1988, P.L. 100-690, Title VI, Subtitle N, § 6483, 102 Stat.
4382; amended Apr. 29, 2002, eff. Dec. 1, 2002.)
RELATED FORECITE National™ MATERIALS:
See FORECITE National™ 64.6.2 [Accomplice Liability: "Feigned Accomplice" Defense].
See also FORECITE National™ 64.6.3 [Accomplice Liability: "Feigned Perpetrator" Defense].
See also FORECITE National™ 83.3.1.3 [Conspiracy With Government Agent Or Feigned Participant As Defense Theory].
See also FORECITE National™ 252.10.1.1 [Defense Theory: Defendant's Belief That He Or She Was Acting As Agent Of Law Enforcement In Performance Of Legitimate Law Enforcement Activities].
See also FORECITE National™ 257.3.2.4 [Entrapment: Defendant’s Belief That He Or She Was Acting As Police Informant Or Agent].
COMMITTEE NOTE - 2002 REVISIONS
The language of Rule 12.3 has been amended as part of the general restyling of the Criminal Rules to make them more easily understood and to make style and terminology consistent throughout the rules. These changes are intended to be stylistic only, except as noted below.
Substantive changes have been made in Rule 12.3(a)(4) and 12.3(b). As in Rule 12.1, the Committee decided to include in the restyled rule the requirement that the parties provide the telephone numbers of any witnesses disclosed under the rule.
FEDERAL RULES OF CRIMINAL PROCEDURE - 2007
Rule 12.4 Disclosure Statement
(a) Who Must File.
(1) Nongovernmental Corporate Party. Any nongovernmental corporate party to a proceeding in a district court must file a statement that identifies any parent corporation and any publicly held corporation that owns 10% or more of its stock or states that there is no such corporation.
(2) Organizational Victim. If an organization is a victim of the alleged criminal activity, the government must file a statement identifying the victim. If the organizational victim is a corporation, the statement must also disclose the information required by Rule 12.4(a)(1) to the extent it can be obtained through due diligence.
(b) Time for Filing; Supplemental Filing. A party must:
(1) file the Rule 12.4(a) statement upon the defendant’s initial appearance; and
(2) promptly file a supplemental statement upon any change in the information that the statement requires.
History:
(As added Apr. 29, 2002, eff. Dec. 1, 2002.)
FEDERAL RULES OF CRIMINAL PROCEDURE - 2007
Rule 13 Joint Trial of Separate Cases
The court may order that separate cases be tried together as though brought in a single indictment or information if all offenses and all defendants could have been joined in a single indictment or information.
History:
(As amended Apr. 29, 2002, eff. Dec. 1, 2002.)
RELATED FORECITE National™ MATERIALS:
See FORECITE National™ 16.19.5 [Modification Where Case Involves Both Joined And Unjoined Perpetrators].
See also FORECITE National™ 19.6.1 [Joint Defense And Joint Defense Agreements].
See also FORECITE National™ 25.20.6 [Uncharged Acts Offered To Prove Propensity: Analogy To Improper Joinder To Illustrate Prejudice].
See also FORECITE National™ 251.9.4 [Unjoined Perpetrators: Consideration Of Third Party Guilt].
COMMITTEE NOTE - 2002 REVISIONS
The language of Rule 13 has been amended as part of the general restyling of the Criminal Rules to make them more easily understood and to make style and terminology consistent throughout the rules. These changes are intended to be stylistic only.
FEDERAL RULES OF CRIMINAL PROCEDURE - 2007
Rule 14 Relief From Prejudicial Joinder
(a) Relief. If the joinder of offenses or defendants in an indictment, an information, or a consolidation for trial appears to prejudice a defendant or the government, the court may order separate trials of counts, sever the defendants’ trials, or provide any other relief that justice requires.
(b) Defendant's Statements. Before ruling on a defendant’s motion to sever, the court may order an attorney for the government to deliver to the court for in camera inspection any defendant’s statement that the government intends to use as evidence.
History:
(As amended Feb. 28, 1966, eff. July 1, 1966; Apr. 29, 2002, eff. Dec. 1, 2002.)
RELATED FORECITE National™ MATERIALS:
See FORECITE National™ 16.19.5 [Modification Where Case Involves Both Joined And Unjoined Perpetrators].
See also FORECITE National™ 19.6.1 [Joint Defense And Joint Defense Agreements].
See also FORECITE National™ 25.20.6 [Uncharged Acts Offered To Prove Propensity: Analogy To Improper Joinder To Illustrate Prejudice].
See also FORECITE National™ 251.9.4 [Unjoined Perpetrators: Consideration Of Third Party Guilt].
COMMITTEE NOTE - 2002 REVISIONS
The language of Rule 14 has been amended as part of the general restyling of the Criminal Rules to make them more easily understood and to make style and terminology consistent throughout the rules. These changes are intended to be stylistic only.
The reference to a defendant’s "confession" in the last sentence of the current rule has been deleted. The Committee believed that the reference to the "defendant’s statements" in the amended rule would fairly embrace any confessions or admissions by a defendant.
FEDERAL RULES OF CRIMINAL PROCEDURE - 2007
Rule 15 Depositions
(a) When Taken.
(1) In General. A party may move that a prospective witness be deposed in order to preserve testimony for trial. The court may grant the motion because of exceptional circumstances and in the interest of justice. If the court orders the deposition to be taken, it may also require the deponent to produce at the deposition any designated material that is not privileged, including any book, paper, document, record, recording, or data.
(2) Detained Material Witness. A witness who is detained under 18 USC 3144 may request to be deposed by filing a written motion and giving notice to the parties. The court may then order that the deposition be taken and may discharge the witness after the witness has signed under oath the deposition transcript.
(b) Notice.
(1) In General. A party seeking to take a deposition must give every other party reasonable written notice of the deposition’s date and location. The notice must state the name and address of each deponent. If requested by a party receiving the notice, the court may, for good cause, change the deposition’s date or location.
(2) To the Custodial Officer. A party seeking to take the deposition must also notify the officer who has custody of the defendant of the scheduled date and location.
(c) Defendant's Presence.
(1) Defendant in Custody. The officer who has custody of the defendant must produce the defendant at the deposition and keep the defendant in the witness’s presence during the examination, unless the defendant:
(A) waives in writing the right to be present; or (B) persists in disruptive conduct justifying exclusion after being warned by the court that disruptive conduct will result in the defendant’s exclusion.
(2) Defendant Not in Custody. A defendant who is not in custody has the right upon request to be present at the deposition, subject to any conditions imposed by the court. If the government tenders the defendant’s expenses as provided in Rule 15(d) but the defendant still fails to appear, the defendant —absent good cause—waives both the right to appear and any objection to the taking and use of the deposition based on that right.
(d) Expenses. If the deposition was requested by the government, the court may—or if the defendant is unable to bear the deposition expenses, the court must—order the government to pay:
(1) any reasonable travel and subsistence expenses of the defendant and the defendant’s attorney to attend the deposition; and
(2) the costs of the deposition transcript.
(e) Manner of Taking. Unless these rules or a court order provides otherwise, a deposition must be taken and filed in the same manner as a deposition in a civil action, except that:
(1) A defendant may not be deposed without that defendant’s consent.
(2) The scope and manner of the deposition examination and cross-examination must be the same as would be allowed during trial.
(3) The government must provide to the defendant or the defendant’s attorney, for use at the deposition, any statement of the deponent in the government’s possession to which the defendant would be entitled at trial.
(f) Use as Evidence. A party may use all or part of a deposition as provided by the Federal Rules of Evidence.
(g) Objections. A party objecting to deposition testimony or evidence must state the grounds for the objection during the deposition.
(h) Depositions by Agreement Permitted. The parties may by agreement take and use a deposition with the court’s consent.
History:
(As amended Apr. 22, 1974, eff. Dec. 1, 1975; July 31, 1975, P.L. 94-64, §§ 2,
3(15)-(19), 89 Stat. 370, 373 eff. Dec. 1, 1975; Oct. 12, 1984 , P.L. 98-473,
Title II, Ch I, § 209(b), 98 Stat. 1986; Mar. 9, 1987, eff. Aug. 1, 1987; Apr. 29, 2002,
eff. Dec. 1, 2002.)
RELATED FORECITE National™ MATERIALS:
See FORECITE National™ 24.2.7.1 [Transcript Testimony From Previous Trial, Preliminary Hearing, Deposition, Etc.].
COMMITTEE NOTE - 2002 REVISIONS
The language of Rule 15 has been amended as part of the general restyling of the Criminal Rules to make them more easily understood and to make style and terminology consistent throughout the rules. These changes are intended to be stylistic only, except as noted below.
In Rule 15(a), the list of materials to be produced has been amended to include the expansive term "data" to reflect the fact that in an increasingly technological culture, the information may exist in a format not already covered by the more conventional list, such as a book or document.
The last portion of current Rule 15(b), dealing with the defendant’s presence at a deposition, has been moved to amended Rule 15(c).
Revised Rule 15(d) addresses the payment of expenses incurred by the defendant and the defendant’s attorney. Under the current rule, if the government requests the deposition, or if the defendant requests the deposition and is unable to pay for it, the court may direct the government to pay for travel and subsistence expenses for both the defendant and the defendant's attorney. In either case, the current rule requires the government to pay for the transcript. Under the amended rule, if the government requested the deposition, the court must require the government to pay reasonable subsistence and travel expenses and the cost of the deposition transcript. If the defendant is unable to pay the deposition expenses, the court must order the government to pay reasonable subsistence and travel expenses and the deposition transcript costs — regardless of who requested the deposition. Although the current rule places no apparent limits on the amount of funds that should be reimbursed, the Committee believed that insertion of the word "reasonable" was consistent with current practice.
Rule 15(f) is intended to more clearly reflect that the admissibility of any deposition taken under the rule is governed not by the rule itself, but instead by the Federal Rules of Evidence.
FEDERAL RULES OF CRIMINAL PROCEDURE - 2007
Rule 16 Discovery and Inspection
(a) Government.s Disclosure.
(1) Information Subject to Disclosure.
(A) Defendant’s Oral Statement. Upon a defendant’s request, the government must disclose to the defendant the substance of any relevant oral statement made by the defendant, before or after arrest, in response to interrogation by a person the defendant knew was a government agent if the government intends to use the statement at trial.
(B) Defendant’s Written or Recorded Statement. Upon a defendant’s request, the government must disclose to the defendant, and make available for inspection, copying, or photographing, all of the following:
(i) any relevant written or recorded statement by the defendant if:
• the statement is within the government’s possession, custody, or control; and
• the attorney for the government knows—or through due diligence could know—that the statement exists;
(ii) the portion of any written record containing the substance of any relevant oral statement made before or after arrest if the defendant made the statement in response to interrogation by a person the defendant knew was a government agent; and
(iii) the defendant’s recorded testimony before a grand jury relating to the charged offense.
(C) Organizational Defendant. Upon a defendant’s request, if the defendant is an organization, the government must disclose to the defendant any statement described in Rule 16(a)(1)(A) and (B) if the government contends that the person making the statement:
(i) was legally able to bind the defendant regarding the subject of the statement because of that person’s position as the defendant’s director, officer, employee, or agent; or
(ii) was personally involved in the alleged conduct constituting the offense and was legally able to bind the defendant regarding that conduct because of that person’s position as the defendant’s director, officer, employee, or agent.
(D) Defendant’s Prior Record. Upon a defendant’s request, the government must furnish the defendant with a copy of the defendant’s prior criminal record that is within the government’s possession, custody, or control if the attorney for the government knows—or through due diligence could know—that the record exists.
(E) Documents and Objects. Upon a defendant’s request, the government must permit the defendant to inspect and to copy or photograph books, papers, documents, data, photographs, tangible objects, buildings or places, or copies or portions of any of these items, if the item is within the government’s possession, custody, or control and:
(i) the item is material to preparing the defense;
(ii) the government intends to use the item in its case-in-chief at trial; or
(iii) the item was obtained from or belongs to the defendant.
(F) Reports of Examinations and Tests. Upon a defendant’s request, the government must permit a defendant to inspect and to copy or photograph the results or reports of any physical or mental examination and of any scientific test or experiment if:
(i) the item is within the government’s possession, custody, or control;
(ii) the attorney for the government knows—or through due diligence could know—that the item exists; and
(iii) the item is material to preparing the defense or the government intends to use the item in its case-in chief at trial.
(G) Expert Witnesses. At the defendant’s request, the government must give to the defendant a written summary of any testimony that the government intends to use under Rules 702, 703, or 705 of the Federal Rules of Evidence during its case-in-chief at trial. If the government requests discovery under subdivision (b)(1)(C)(ii) and the defendant complies, the government must, at the defendant’s request, give to the defendant a written summary of testimony that the government intends to use under Rules 702, 703, or 705 of the Federal Rules of Evidence as evidence at trial on the issue of the defendant’s mental condition. The summary provided under this subparagraph must describe the witness’s opinions, the bases and reasons for those opinions, and the witness’s qualifications.
(2) Information Not Subject to Disclosure. Except as Rule 16(a)(1) provides otherwise, this rule does not authorize the discovery or inspection of reports, memoranda, or other internal government documents made by an attorney for the government or other government agent in connection with investigating or prosecuting the case. Nor does this rule authorize the discovery or inspection of statements made by prospective government witnesses except as provided in 18 USC 3500.
(3) Grand Jury Transcripts. This rule does not apply to the discovery or inspection of a grand jury’s recorded proceedings, except as provided in Rules 6, 12(h), 16(a)(1), and 26.2.
(b) Defendant's Disclosure.
(1) Information Subject to Disclosure.
(A) Documents and Objects. If a defendant requests disclosure under Rule 16(a)(1)(E) and the government complies, then the defendant must permit the government, upon request, to inspect and to copy or photograph books, papers, documents, data, photographs, tangible objects, buildings or places, or copies or portions of any of these items if:
(i) the item is within the defendant’s possession, custody, or control; and
(ii) the defendant intends to use the item in the defendant’s case-in-chief at trial.
(B) Reports of Examinations and Tests. If a defendant requests disclosure under Rule 16(a)(1)(F) and the government complies, the defendant must permit the government, upon request, to inspect and to copy or photograph the results or reports of any physical or mental examination and of any scientific test or experiment if:
(i) the item is within the defendant’s possession, custody, or control; and
(ii) the defendant intends to use the item in the defendant’s case-in-chief at trial, or intends to call the witness who prepared the report and the report relates to the witness’s testimony.
(C) Expert Witnesses. The defendant must, at the government’s request, give to the government a written summary of any testimony that the defendant intends to use under Rules 702, 703, or 705 of the Federal Rules of Evidence as evidence at trial, if—
(i) the defendant requests disclosure under subdivision (a)(1)(G) and the government complies; or
(ii) the defendant has given notice under Rule 12.2(b) of an intent to present expert testimony on the defendant’s
mental condition. This summary must describe the witness’s opinions, the bases and reasons for those opinions, and the witness’s qualifications[.](2) Information Not Subject to Disclosure. Except for scientific or medical reports, Rule 16(b)(1) does not authorize discovery or inspection of:
(A) reports, memoranda, or other documents made by the defendant, or the defendant’s attorney or agent, during the case’s investigation or defense; or
(B) a statement made to the defendant, or the defendant’s attorney or agent, by:
(i) the defendant;
(ii) a government or defense witness; or
(iii) a prospective government or defense witness.
(c) Continuing Duty to Disclose. A party who discovers additional evidence or material before or during trial must promptly disclose its existence to the other party or the court if:
(1) the evidence or material is subject to discovery or inspection under this rule; and
(2) the other party previously requested, or the court ordered, its production.
(d) Regulating Discovery.
(1) Protective and Modifying Orders. At any time the court may, for good cause, deny, restrict, or defer discovery or inspection, or grant other appropriate relief. The court may permit a party to show good cause by a written statement that the court will inspect ex parte. If relief is granted, the court must preserve the entire text of the party’s statement under seal.
(2) Failure to Comply. If a party fails to comply with this rule, the court may:
(A) order that party to permit the discovery or inspection; specify its time, place, and manner; and prescribe other just terms and conditions;
(B) grant a continuance;
(C) prohibit that party from introducing the undisclosed evidence; or
(D) enter any other order that is just under the circumstances.
History:
(As amended Feb. 28, 1966, eff. July 1, 1966; Apr. 22, 1974, eff. Dec. 1, 1975; July 31, 1975, P.L. 94-64, §§ 2, 3(20)-(28), 89 Stat. 370, 374eff. Dec. 1, 1975; Dec. 12, 1975, P.L. 94-149, § 5, 89 Stat. 806; Apr. 28, 1983, eff. Aug. 1, 1983; Mar. 9, 1987, eff. Aug. 1, 1987; Apr. 30, 1991, eff. Dec. 1, 1991; Apr. 22, 1993, eff. Dec. 1, 1993; Apr. 29, 1994, eff. Dec. 1, 1994; Apr. 11, 1997, eff. Dec. 1, 1997; Apr. 29, 2002, eff. Dec. 1, 2002; Nov. 2, 2002, P.L. 107-273, Div C, Title I, Subtitle A, § 11019(b), 116 Stat. 1825eff. Dec. 1, 2002.)
RELATED FORECITE National™ MATERIALS:
See FORECITE National™ 11.2.1 [Right To Discovery Of Instructions Given Grand Jury].
See also FORECITE National™ 31.1.3 [Eyewitness Identification: Discovery].
See also FORECITE National™ 276.1.4 [Discovery Of Additional Evidence During Deliberations].
COMMITTEE NOTE - 2002 REVISIONS
The language of Rule 16 has been amended as part of the general restyling of the Criminal Rules to make them more easily understood and to make style and terminology consistent throughout the rules. These changes are intended to be stylistic only, except as noted below.
Current Rule 16(a)(1)(A) is now located in Rule 16(a)(1)(A), (B), and (C). Current Rule 16(a)(1)(B), (C), (D), and (E) have been relettered.
Amended Rule 16(b)(1)(B) includes a change that may be substantive in nature. Rule 16(a)(1)(E) and 16(a)(1)(F) require production of specified information if the government intends to "use" the information "in its case-in-chief at trial." The Committee believed that the language in revised Rule 16(b)(1)(B), which deals with a defendant's disclosure of information to the government, should track the similar language in revised Rule 16(a)(1). In Rule 16(b)(1)(B)(ii), the Committee changed the current provision which reads: "the defendant intends to introduce as evidence" to the "defendant intends to use the item . . ." The Committee recognized that this might constitute a substantive change in the rule but believed that it was a necessary conforming change with the provisions in Rule16(a)(1)(E) and (F), noted supra, regarding use of evidence by the government.
In amended Rule 16(d)(1), the last phrase in the current subdivision — which refers to a possible appeal of the court’s discovery order — has been deleted. In the Committee’s view, no substantive change results from that deletion. The language is unnecessary because the court, regardless of whether there is an appeal, will have maintained the record.
Finally, current Rule 16(e), which addresses the topic of notice of alibi witnesses, has been deleted as being unnecessarily duplicative of Rule 12.1.
FEDERAL RULES OF CRIMINAL PROCEDURE - 2007
Rule 17 Subpoena
(a) Content. A subpoena must state the court’s name and the title of the proceeding, include the seal of the court, and command the witness to attend and testify at the time and place the subpoena specifies. The clerk must issue a blank subpoena—signed and sealed—to the party requesting it, and that party must fill in the blanks before the subpoena is served.
(b) Defendant Unable to Pay. Upon a defendant’s ex parte application,
the court must order that a subpoena be issued for a named witness if the defendant shows an inability to pay the
witness’s fees and the necessity of the witness’s presence for an
adequate defense. If the court orders a subpoena to be issued, the process costs and witness fees will be paid in the same manner as
those paid for witnesses the government subpoenas.
(c) Producing Documents and Objects.
(1) In General. A subpoena may order the witness to produce any books, papers, documents, data, or other objects the subpoena designates. The court may direct the witness to produce the designated items in court before trial or before they are to be offered in evidence. When the items arrive, the court may permit the parties and their attorneys to inspect all or part of
them.(2) Quashing or Modifying the Subpoena. On motion made promptly, the court may quash or modify the subpoena if compliance would be unreasonable or oppressive.
(d) Service. A marshal, a deputy marshal, or any nonparty who is at least 18 years old may serve a subpoena. The server must deliver a copy of the subpoena to the witness and must tender to the witness one day’s witness-attendance fee and the legal mileage allowance. The server need not tender the attendance fee or mileage allowance when the United States, a federal officer, or a federal agency has requested the subpoena.
(e) Place of Service.
(1) In the United States. A subpoena requiring a witness to attend a hearing or trial may be served at any place within the United States.
(2) In a Foreign Country. If the witness is in a foreign country, 28 USC 1783 governs the subpoena’s service.
(f) Issuing a Deposition Subpoena.
(1) Issuance. A court order to take a deposition authorizes the clerk in the district where the deposition is to be taken to issue a subpoena for any witness named or described in the order.
(2) Place. After considering the convenience of the witness and the parties, the court may order—and the subpoena may require—the witness to appear anywhere the court designates.
(g) Contempt. The court (other than a magistrate judge) may hold in contempt a witness who, without adequate excuse, disobeys a subpoena issued by a federal court in that district. A magistrate judge may hold in contempt a witness who, without adequate excuse, disobeys a subpoena issued by that magistrate judge as provided in 28 USC 636(e).
(h) Information Not Subject to a Subpoena. No party may subpoena a statement of a witness or of a prospective witness under this rule. Rule 26.2 governs the production of the statement.
History:
(As amended Dec. 27, 1948, eff. Oct. 20, 1949; Feb. 28, 1966, eff. July 1, 1966; Apr. 24, 1972, eff. Oct. 1, 1972; Apr. 22, 1974, eff. Dec. 1, 1975; July 31, 1975, P.L. 94-64, §§ 2, 3(29), 89 Stat. 375eff. Dec. 1, 1975; Apr. 30, 1979, eff. Dec. 1, 1980; Mar. 9, 1987, eff. Aug. 1, 1987; Apr. 22, 1993, eff. Dec. 1, 1993; Apr. 29, 2002, eff. Dec. 1, 2002.)
COMMITTEE NOTE - 2002 REVISIONS
The language of Rule 17 has been amended as part of the general restyling of the Criminal Rules to make them more easily understood and to make style and terminology consistent throughout the rules. These changes are intended to be stylistic only, except as noted below.
A potential substantive change has been made in Rule 17(c)(1); the word "data" has been added to the list of matters that may be subpoenaed. The Committee believed that inserting that term will reflect the fact that in an increasingly technological culture, the information may exist in a format not already covered by the more conventional list, such as a book or document.
Rule 17(g) has been amended to recognize the contempt powers of a court (other than a magistrate judge) and a magistrate judge.
FEDERAL RULES OF CRIMINAL PROCEDURE - 2007
Rule 17.1 Pretrial Conference
On its own, or on a party’s motion, the court may hold one or more pretrial conferences to promote a fair and expeditious trial. When a conference ends, the court must prepare and file a memorandum of any matters agreed to during the conference. The government may not use any statement made during the conference by the defendant or the defendant’s attorney unless it is in writing and is signed by the defendant and the defendant’s attorney.
History:
(As added Feb. 28, 1966, eff. July 1, 1966; amended Mar. 9, 1987, eff. Aug. 1, 1987; Apr. 29, 2002, eff. Dec. 1, 2002.)
COMMITTEE NOTE - 2002 REVISIONS
The language of Rule 17.1 has been amended as part of the general restyling of the Criminal Rules to make them more easily understood and to make style and terminology consistent throughout the rules. These changes are intended to be stylistic only, except as noted below.
Current Rule 17.1 prohibits the court from holding a pretrial conference where the defendant is not represented by counsel. It is unclear whether this would bar such a conference when the defendant invokes the constitutional right to self-representation. See Faretta v. California, 422 U.S. 806 (1975). The amended version makes clear that a pretrial conference may be held in these circumstances. Moreover, the Committee believed that pretrial conferences might be particularly useful in those cases where the defendant is proceeding pro se.