NCJ Number
67631
Date Published
1980
Length
21 pages
Annotation
THE ASSISTANT ATTORNEY GENERAL'S STATEMENT UNDERLINES THE NEED FOR PASSAGE OF A COMPROMISE VERSION OF H.R. 4736 AS A REASONABLE APPROACH TO THE ISSUES ARISING IN CRIMINAL CASES INVOLVING CLASSIFIED INFORMATION.
Abstract
IN SUCH CRIMINAL CASES, 'GRAYMAIL,' OR DEFENSE ATTEMPTS TO OBTAIN OR DISCLOSE CLASSIFIED INFORMATION WHICH FORCES THE GOVERNMENT TO CHOOSE BETWEEN COMPROMISING NATIONAL SECURITY AND FOREGOING PROSECUTION, HAS BECOME A MAJOR PROBLEM. PRESENT PROCEDURES DO NOT INCLUDE PRETRIAL RULINGS ON THE DISCLOSURE OF CLASSIFIED INFORMATION, FORCING THE GOVERNMENT TO ABANDON PROSECUTION. SUCH DECISIONS UNDERMINE PUBLIC CONFIDENCE IN THE FAIR ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE. LEGISLATORS' RESPONSE TO THE GRAYMAIL PROBLEM IS H.R. 4736, WHICH PROVIDES FOR PRETRIAL RULINGS AND APPEALS ON WHETHER CLASSIFIED INFORMATION MAY BE DISCLOSED BY A DEFENDANT AT PRETRIAL OR TRIAL PROCEEDINGS. THE BILL WOULD REQUIRE ONLY MODEST PROCEDURAL CHANGES IN THE CONDUCT OF SUCH CRIMINAL CASES AND WOULD RESULT IN A SIGNIFICANT NUMBER OF CASES PROCEEDING TO TRIAL WHICH OTHERWISE WOULD BE DROPPED. KEY PROVISIONS EXAMINED IN THIS STATEMENT INCLUDE DEFENSE NOTICE OF INTENT TO USE CLASSIFIED INFORMATION, PRETRIAL IN CAMERA DETERMINATION OF THE ADMISSIBILITY OF CLASSIFIED EVIDENCE, ALTERNATIVES TO DISCLOSURE OF SPECIFIC CLASSIFIED INFORMATION, SANCTIONS OTHER THAN DISMISSAL, INTERLOCUTORY APPEAL BY THE GOVERNMENT, AND PRESERVATION OF THE INTEGRITY OF CLASSIFIED INFORMATION (INVOLVING PROTECTIVE ORDERS AND THE DEVELOPMENT OF SECURITY PROCEDURES). AMENDMENTS MADE TO RECIPROCITY AND REPORTING REQUIREMENTS OF H.R. 4736 MAKE THESE SECTIONS OF THE BILL MORE ACCEPTABLE TO THE ADMINISTRATION. THE ADMINSTRATION'S AMENDMENTS DEALING WITH THE USE OF 'RELEVANT AND MATERIAL' ADMISSIBILITY STANDARDS AND WITH A LIMITED MODIFICATION OF THE JENCKS ACT HAVE PROVED TO BE CONTROVERSIAL, ALTHOUGH FINAL AGREEMENT ON A GRAYMAIL BILL ACEPTABLE TO ALL PARTIES IS NEAR.