U.S. Chamber Hails Introduction of Exculpatory Evidence Bill in U.S. Senate
March 15 2012 - 5:30PM
Business Wire
Lisa A. Rickard, president of the U.S. Chamber’s Institute for
Legal Reform (ILR), issued the following statement today regarding
the introduction of the Fairness in Disclosure of Evidence Act of
2012 in the U.S. Senate. The bill would require that federal
prosecutors disclose evidence that is favorable to the defendant in
the course of a criminal proceeding; outline when such evidence
must be disclosed; and, provide meaningful remedies for violations
of the rule.
“We applaud the Senate’s efforts to promote fairness in the
legal discovery process by denying prosecutors the ability to
withhold potentially exculpatory evidence. Along with a diverse
cross section of the legal community, we look forward to working
with members to enact this bill.
“In recent years, federal courts have overturned a string of
high-profile convictions–including Senator Stevens’ 2008 corruption
conviction and Lindsey Manufacturing’s 2011 conviction under the
Foreign Corrupt Practices Act–after seasoned prosecutors failed to
disclose evidence favorable to the defense. Under current Supreme
Court precedent, individual and business defendants may never learn
that potentially exculpatory evidence exists, and remedies for
disclosure failures are also limited. This bill would remedy that
injustice.”
ILR seeks to promote civil justice reform through legislative,
political, judicial, and educational activities at the national,
state, and local levels.
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is the world’s largest business
federation representing the interests of more than 3 million
businesses of all sizes, sectors, and regions, as well as state and
local chambers and industry associations.
www.uschamber.com
www.chamberpost.com