Criminology Term: Discovery
The process of discovery is an essential aspect of the criminal justice system. During discovery, the prosecution and defense are obligated to exchange relevant information and evidence concerning a criminal case.
This includes witness statements, forensic evidence, police reports, and other pertinent documents or evidence, regardless of whether they are favorable or unfavorable to their case.
By exchanging information during the discovery phase, both parties can prepare and build their arguments based on the evidence that will be presented in court. This helps to ensure that both parties have a fair trial by providing each with equal access to the same information.
There are various types of discovery, including open discovery, limited discovery, and specific discovery. During open discovery, both the prosecution and defense have access to all of the evidence and information in the case.
Limited discovery only allows certain types of evidence or information to be exchanged, and parties may need court approval to obtain additional information. In specific discovery, the parties exchange only certain pieces of evidence or information instead of all evidence in the case.
Due to the vast amount of evidence involved, the discovery process can be complicated and time-consuming. Nevertheless, it is a crucial part of ensuring a fair trial and upholding the principles of justice.
