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Rule 2.14 – Discovery

May 13, 2021 | Criminal Procedure, Iowa

2. 14(1)Witnesses examined by the prosecuting attorney. When a witness subpoenaed by the prosecuting attorney pursuant to rule 2.5 is summoned by the prosecuting attorney after complaint, indictment or information, the defendant shall have a right to be present and have the opportunity to cross-examine any witnesses whose appearance before the county attorney is required by this rule.
2. 14(2)Disclosure of evidence by the state upon defense motion or request.

a. Disclosure required upon request.

(1) Upon a filed pretrial request by the defendant the attorney for the state shall permit the defendant to inspect and copy or photograph: Any relevant written or recorded statements made by the defendant or copies thereof, within the possession, custody or control of the state, unless same shall have been included with the minutes of evidence accompanying the indictment or information; the substance of any oral statement made by the defendant which the state intends to offer in evidence at the trial, including any voice recording of same; and the transcript or record of testimony of the defendant before a grand jury, whether or not the state intends to offer same in evidence upon trial.
(2) When two or more defendants are jointly charged, upon the filed request of any defendant the attorney for the state shall permit the defendant to inspect and copy or photograph any written or recorded statement of a codefendant which the state intends to offer in evidence at the trial, and the substance of any oral statement which the state intends to offer in evidence at the trial made by a codefendant whether before or after arrest in response to interrogation by any person known to the codefendant to be a state agent.
(3) Upon the filed request of the defendant, the state shall furnish to defendant such copy of the defendant’s prior criminal record, if any, as is then available to the state.
b. Discretionary discovery.

(1) Upon motion of the defendant the court may order the attorney for the state to permit the defendant to inspect, and where appropriate, to subject to scientific tests, items seized by the state in connection with the alleged crime. The court may further allow the defendant to inspect and copy books, papers, documents, statements, photographs or tangible objects which are within the possession, custody or control of the state, and which are material to the preparation of the defense, or are intended for use by the state as evidence at the trial, or were obtained from or belong to the defendant.
(2) Upon motion of a defendant the court may order the attorney for the state to permit the defendant to inspect and copy or photograph any results or reports of physical or mental examinations, and of scientific tests or experiments, made in connection with the particular case, or copies thereof, within the possession, custody or control of the state.
2. 14(3)Disclosure of evidence by the defendant.

a. Documents and tangible objects. If the court grants the relief sought by the defendant under rule 2.14(2)(b)(1), the court may, upon motion of the state, order the defendant to permit the state to inspect and copy books, papers, documents, statements other than those of the accused, photographs or tangible objects which are not privileged and are within the possession, custody or control of the defendant and which the defendant intends to introduce in evidence at trial.
b. Reports of examinations and tests. If the court grants relief sought by the defendant under rule 2.14(2)(b)(2), the court may, upon motion of the state, order the defendant to permit the state to inspect and copy the results or reports of physical or mental examinations and of scientific tests or experiments made in connection with the particular case, or copies thereof, within the possession or control of the defendant and which the defendant intends to introduce in evidence at the trial or which were prepared by a witness whom the defendant intends to call at the trial when such results or reports relate to the witness’s testimony.
c. Time of motion. A motion for the relief provided under rule 2.14(3) shall be made, if at all, within five days after any order granting similar relief to the defendant.
2. 14(4)Failure to employ evidence. When evidence intended for use and furnished under this rule is not actually employed at the trial, that fact shall not be commented upon at trial.
2. 14(5)Continuing duty to disclose. If, subsequent to compliance with an order issued pursuant to this rule, either party discovers additional evidence, or decides to use evidence which is additional to that originally intended for use, and such additional evidence is subject to discovery under this rule, the party shall promptly file written notice of the existence of the additional evidence to allow the other party to make an appropriate motion for additional discovery.
2. 14(6)Regulation of discovery.

a. Protective orders. Upon a sufficient showing the court may at any time order that the discovery or inspection be denied, restricted or deferred, or make such other order as is appropriate. In addition to any other grounds for issuing an order pursuant to this paragraph, the court may limit or deny discovery or inspection, or limit the number of depositions to be taken if the court determines that any of the following exist:

(1) That granting the motion will unfairly prejudice the nonmoving party and will deny that party a fair trial.
(2) That the motion is intended only as a fishing expedition and that granting the motion will unduly delay the trial and will result in unjustified expense.
(3) That the granting of the motion will result in the disclosure of privileged information.
b. Time, place and manner of discovery and inspection. An order of the court granting relief under this rule shall specify the time, place and manner of making the discovery and inspection permitted and may prescribe such terms and conditions as are just.
c. Failure to comply. If at any time during the course of the proceedings it is brought to the attention of the court that a party has failed to comply with this rule or with an order issued pursuant to this rule, the court may upon timely application order such party to permit the discovery or inspection, grant a continuance, or prohibit the party from introducing any evidence not disclosed, or it may enter such other order as it deems just under the circumstances.
d. Secrecy of grand jury. Except where specific provisions require otherwise, grand jury proceedings remain confidential. However, any member of the grand jury and the clerk thereof, and any officer of the court, may be required by the court or any legislative committee duly authorized to inquire into the conduct or acts of any state officer which might be the basis for impeachment proceedings, to disclose the testimony of a witness examined before the grand jury for the purpose of ascertaining whether it is consistent with that given by the witness before the court or legislative committee, or to disclose the same upon a charge of perjury against the witness, or when in the opinion of the court or legislative committee such disclosure is necessary in the administration of justice.

No grand juror shall be questioned for anything the juror may say or any vote the juror may give in the grand jury relative to a matter legally pending before it, except for perjury of which the juror may have been guilty in making an accusation, or in giving testimony to any fellow jurors.

Iowa. R. Crim. P. 2.14

66GA, ch 1245(2), § 1301; 67GA, ch 153, § 39, 40, 41; amendment 1981; Report November 9, 2001, effective February 15, 2002