Jencks v. United States

Citation

353 U.S. 657 (1957)

Facts

Stub — to be completed.

Issue

Stub — to be completed.

Holding

Stub — to be completed.

Rule

The government must disclose prior statements made by its witnesses after those witnesses testify on direct examination, to permit effective cross-examination by the defense.

Significance

Established the constitutional foundation for what became the Jencks Act (18 U.S.C. § 3500), requiring production of prior witness statements; cornerstone of federal criminal discovery practice.

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