bagley argued march decided july respondent indicted charges violating federal narcotics firearms statutes trial filed discovery motion requesting inter alia deals promises inducements made government witnesses exchange testimony government response disclose deals promises inducements made two principal witnesses assisted bureau alcohol tobacco firearms atf conducting undercover investigation respondent government produce signed affidavits witnesses recounting undercover dealing respondent concluding statement affidavits made without threats rewards promises reward respondent waived right jury trial tried district two principal government witnesses testified firearms narcotics charges found respondent guilty narcotics charges guilty firearms charges subsequently response requests made pursuant freedom information act privacy act respondent received copies atf contracts signed principal government witnesses undercover investigation stating government pay money witnesses commensurate information furnished respondent moved vacate sentence alleging government failure response discovery motion disclose contracts used impeach witnesses violated right due process brady maryland held prosecution suppression evidence favorable accused upon request violates due process evidence material either guilt punishment district denied motion finding beyond reasonable doubt existence atf contracts disclosed trial disclosure affected outcome principal government witnesses testimony primarily devoted firearms charges respondent acquitted exculpatory narcotics charges appeals reversed holding government failure disclose requested impeachment evidence respondent used conduct effective government principal witnesses required automatic reversal appeals also stated disagree district conclusion nondisclosure harmless beyond reasonable doubt noting witnesses testimony fact inculpatory narcotics charges held judgment reversed case remanded reversed remanded justice blackmun delivered opinion respect parts ii concluding appeals erred holding prosecutor failure disclose evidence used effectively impeach important government witnesses requires automatic reversal nondisclosure constitutes constitutional error requires reversal conviction evidence material sense suppression might affected outcome trial pp justice blackmun joined justice delivered opinion respect part iii concluding nondisclosed evidence issue material reasonable probability evidence disclosed defense result proceeding different reasonable probability probability sufficient undermine confidence outcome standard materiality sufficiently flexible cover cases prosecutorial failure disclose evidence favorable defense regardless whether defense makes request general request specific request although prosecutor failure respond fully specific request may impair adversary process effect representing defense certain evidence exist possibility impairment necessitate different standard materiality standard stated reviewing may consider directly adverse effect prosecutor failure respond might preparation presentation defendant case pp justice white joined chief justice justice rehnquist view reason elaborate relevance specificity defense request disclosure either generally respect case concluded reversal mandated simply appeals failed apply reasonable probability standard materiality nondisclosed evidence question david strauss argued cause briefs solicitor general lee assistant attorney general trott deputy solicitor general frey thomas hillier ii argued cause filed brief respondent john van de kamp attorney general karl mayer thomas brady charles kirk deputy attorneys general filed brief state california amicus curiae urging reversal justice blackmun announced judgment delivered opinion except part iii brady maryland held suppression prosecution evidence favorable accused upon request violates due process evidence material either guilt punishment issue present case concerns standard materiality applied determining whether conviction reversed prosecutor failed disclose requested evidence used impeach government witnesses october respondent hughes anderson bagley indicted western district washington charges violating federal narcotics firearms statutes november days trial respondent filed discovery motion sixth paragraph motion requested names addresses witnesses government intends call trial also prior criminal records witnesses deals promises inducements made witnesses exchange testimony app government response discovery motion disclose deals promises inducements made mitchell apparent reply request motion ninth paragraph opies jencks act material government produced series affidavits mitchell signed april may undercover investigation progress affidavits recounted detail undercover dealings mitchell time respondent affidavit concluded statement made statement freely voluntarily without threats rewards promises reward made return respondent waived right jury trial tried december trial mitchell testified firearms narcotics charges december found respondent guilty narcotics charges guilty firearms charges respondent filed requests information pursuant freedom information act privacy act received response copies atf form contracts mitchell signed may form entitled contract purchase information payment lump sum therefor printed portion form stated vendor provide information atf upon receipt information regional director bureau alcohol tobacco firearms representative upon accomplishment objective sought obtained use information satisfaction said regional director pay said vendor sum commensurate services information rendered app form contained following typewritten description services provide information regarding violations committed hughes bagley purchase evidence atf cut sic undercover capacity atf assist atf gathering evidence testify violator federal ibid contracts disclosed respondent response pretrial discovery motion respondent moved vacate sentence alleged government failure disclose contracts used impeach mitchell violated right due process brady maryland supra motion came district judge presided respondent bench trial evidentiary hearing held magistrate magistrate found printed form contracts blank mitchell signed signed atf representative trial also found january following trial decision respondent case atf made payments mitchell pursuant contracts although atf case agent dealt mitchell testified payments compensation expenses magistrate found characterization borne record documentation expenses amounts mitchell testified payment expenses atf forms authorizing payments treated rewards district adopted magistrate findings except last one effect either mitchell expected receive payment payment testimony app pet cert instead found probable mitchell expected receive compensation addition expenses assistance though perhaps testimony district also expressly rejected magistrate conclusion neither witness promised expected payment testimony withhold pretrial discovery information deals promises inducements witnesses suppress evidence favorable defendant violation brady maryland appeals ninth circuit reversed bagley lumpkin appeals began noting according precedent circuit prosecutorial failure respond specific brady request properly analyzed error resulting conviction must reversed unless error harmless beyond reasonable doubt noted district judge presided bench trial concluded beyond reasonable doubt disclosure atf agreement affected outcome appeals however stated disagree conclusion particular disagreed government district premise testimony mitchell exculpatory narcotics charges respondent therefore sought impeach witness appeals apparently based reversal however theory government failure disclose requested brady information respondent used conduct effective impaired respondent right confront adverse witnesses noted davis alaska held denial right effective constitutional error first magnitude requiring automatic reversal quoting davis alaska emphasis added appeals last sentence opinion appeals concluded hold government failure provide requested brady information bagley effectively two important government witnesses requires automatic reversal granted certiorari reverse ii holding brady maryland requires disclosure evidence favorable accused material either guilt punishment see also moore illinois explained agurs fair analysis holding brady indicates implicit requirement materiality concern suppressed evidence might affected outcome trial evidence suppressed brady admissible issue punishment issue guilt therefore affected brady sentence conviction accordingly affirmed lower restriction brady new trial issue punishment brady rule based requirement due process purpose displace adversary system primary means truth uncovered ensure miscarriage justice occur thus prosecutor required deliver entire file defense counsel disclose evidence favorable accused suppressed deprive defendant fair trial unless omission deprived defendant fair trial constitutional violation requiring verdict set aside absent constitutional violation breach prosecutor constitutional duty disclose reiterate critical point prosecutor violated constitutional duty disclosure unless omission sufficient significance result denial defendant right fair trial appeals treated impeachment evidence constitutionally different exculpatory evidence according failure disclose impeachment evidence even egregious failure disclose exculpatory evidence threatens defendant right confront adverse witnesses relying davis alaska appeals held government failure disclose requested impeachment evidence defense use conduct effective important prosecution witnesses constitutes constitutional error first magnitude requiring automatic reversal quoting davis alaska supra rejected distinction impeachment evidence exculpatory evidence giglio supra government failed disclose impeachment evidence similar evidence issue present case promise made key government witness prosecuted testified government said reliability given witness may well determinative guilt innocence nondisclosure evidence affecting credibility falls within th general rule brady however automatically require new trial whenever combing prosecutors files trial disclosed evidence possibly useful defense likely changed verdict finding materiality evidence required brady new trial required false testimony reasonable likelihood affected judgment jury citations omitted moreover reliance davis alaska automatic reversal rule misplaced davis defense sought crucial prosecution witness concerning probationary status juvenile delinquent defense intended show witness might made faulty identification defendant order shift suspicion away feared probationary status jeopardized satisfactorily assist police prosecutor obtaining conviction pursuant state rule procedure state statute making juvenile adjudications inadmissible trial judge prohibited defense conducting reversed defendant conviction ruling direct restriction scope denied defendant right effective constitutional error first magnitude amount showing want prejudice cure brookhart janis quoting smith illinois see also cronic present case contrast involve direct restriction scope defense free witnesses relevant subject including possible bias interest resulting inducements made government constitutional error case government failure assist defense disclosing information might helpful conducting discussed suppression evidence amounts constitutional violation deprives defendant fair trial consistent overriding concern justice finding guilt agurs constitutional error occurs conviction must reversed evidence material sense suppression undermines confidence outcome trial iii remains determine standard materiality applicable nondisclosed evidence issue case starting point framework evaluating materiality brady evidence established agurs agurs distinguished three situations involving discovery trial information favorable accused known prosecution unknown defense first situation prosecutor knowing use perjured testimony equivalently prosecutor knowing failure disclose testimony used convict defendant false noted rule conviction obtained knowing use perjured testimony fundamentally unfair must set aside reasonable likelihood false testimony affected judgment jury omitted although rule stated terms treat knowing use perjured testimony error subject review may easily stated materiality standard fact testimony perjured considered material unless failure disclose harmless beyond reasonable doubt agurs justified standard materiality ground knowing use perjured testimony involves prosecutorial misconduct importantly involves corruption function trial process extreme situation agurs defendant make brady request prosecutor fails disclose certain evidence favorable accused rejected rule situation rule every nondisclosure treated error thus imposing prosecutor constitutional duty deliver entire file defense counsel time rejected standard require defendant demonstrate evidence disclosed probably resulted acquittal reasoned standard applied usual motion new trial based newly discovered evidence evidence state possession found neutral source special significance prosecutor obligation serve cause justice ibid standard materiality applicable absence specific brady request therefore stricter standard lenient defense standard third situation identified agurs defense makes specific request prosecutor fails disclose responsive evidence define standard materiality applicable situation suggested standard might lenient defense situation defense makes request general request also noted prosecutor receives specific relevant request failure make response seldom ever excusable ibid relied reformulated agurs standard materiality undisclosed evidence two subsequent cases arising outside brady context neither case discussion agurs standard distinguish among three situations described agurs held due process violated testimony made unavailable defense government deportation witnesses reasonable likelihood testimony affected judgment trier fact strickland washington held new trial must granted evidence introduced incompetence counsel reasonable probability counsel unprofessional errors result proceeding different strickland defined reasonable probability probability sufficient undermine confidence outcome ibid find strickland formulation agurs test materiality sufficiently flexible cover request general request specific request cases prosecutorial failure disclose evidence favorable accused evidence material reasonable probability evidence disclosed defense result proceeding different reasonable probability probability sufficient undermine confidence outcome government suggests materiality standard favorable defendant reasonably might adopted specific request cases see brief government notes incomplete response specific request deprives defense certain evidence also effect representing defense evidence exist reliance misleading representation defense might abandon lines independent investigation defenses trial strategies otherwise pursued ibid agree prosecutor failure respond fully brady request may impair adversary process manner specifically defense requests certain evidence thus putting prosecutor notice value reasonable defense assume nondisclosure evidence exist make pretrial trial decisions basis assumption possibility impairment necessitate different standard materiality however strickland formulation reviewing may consider directly adverse effect prosecutor failure respond might preparation presentation defendant case reviewing assess possibility effect might occurred light totality circumstances awareness difficulty reconstructing proceeding course defense trial taken defense misled prosecutor incomplete response present case think significant likelihood prosecutor response respondent discovery motion misleadingly induced defense counsel believe mitchell impeached basis bias interest arising inducements offered government defense counsel asked prosecutor disclose inducements made witnesses prosecutor failed disclose possibility reward held mitchell information supplied led accomplishment objective sought obtained satisfaction government app possibility reward gave mitchell direct personal stake respondent conviction fact stake guaranteed promise binding contract expressly contingent government satisfaction end result served strengthen incentive testify falsely order secure conviction moreover prosecutor disclosed affidavits stated mitchell received promises reward return providing information affidavits implicating respondent criminal activity fact mitchell signed last affidavits day signed atf contracts government technically correct blank contracts constitute promise reward natural effect affidavits misleadingly induce defense counsel believe mitchell provided information affidavits ultimately testimony trial recounting information without inducements district nonetheless found beyond reasonable doubt information government held possibility reward witnesses disclosed result criminal prosecution different finding sustained appeals information immaterial even standard materiality applicable prosecutor knowing use perjured testimony although express holding appeals nondisclosure case required automatic reversal appeals also stated disagreed district finding harmless error particular appeals appears disagreed factual premise finding expressly based district reasoned mitchell testimony exculpatory narcotics charges appeals however concluded reviewing record mitchell testimony fact inculpatory charges accordingly reverse judgment appeals remand case determination whether reasonable probability inducement offered government mitchell disclosed defense result trial different ordered footnotes jencks act requires prosecutor disclose direct examination government witness defendant motion statement witness government possession relates subject matter witness testimony brief quoting memorandum points authorities support pet habeas corpus cd cal exhibits assistant attorney prosecuted respondent stated stipulated testimony known contracts existed furnished respondent known see app pet cert magistrate found atf paid mitchell respectively april may trial concluded payments intended reimburse mitchell expenses provided basis impeaching mitchell trial testimony district adopted finding conclusion requiring prosecutor assist defense making case brady rule represents limited departure pure adversary model recognized however prosecutor role transcends adversary representative ordinary party controversy sovereignty whose interest criminal prosecution shall win case justice shall done berger see brady maryland see agurs moore illinois see also california trombetta interpretation brady create broad constitutionally required right discovery entirely alter character balance present systems criminal justice giles maryland dissenting opinion furthermore rule prosecutor commits error failure disclose evidence favorable accused matter insignificant impose impossible burden prosecutor undermine interest finality judgments fact brady rule roots series cases dealing convictions based prosecution knowing use perjured testimony mooney holohan established rule knowing use state prosecutor perjured testimony obtain conviction deliberate suppression evidence impeached refuted testimony constitutes denial due process reasoned deliberate deception jury presentation testimony known perjured inconsistent rudimentary demands justice reaffirmed principle broader terms pyle kansas held allegations prosecutor deliberately suppressed evidence favorable accused knowingly used perjured testimony sufficient charge due process violation reaffirmed principle napue illinois napue principal witness prosecution falsely testified promised consideration testimony held knowing use false testimony obtain conviction violates due process regardless whether prosecutor solicited false testimony merely allowed go uncorrected appeared explained principle state may knowingly use false testimony obtain conviction even false testimony goes credibility witness implicit concept ordered liberty finally held bound state determination false testimony reasonable likelihood affected judgment jury conducted independent examination record concluded false testimony may effect outcome trial accordingly reversed judgment conviction rule conviction obtained knowing use perjured testimony must set aside reasonable likelihood false testimony affected jury verdict derives napue illinois see supra see also giglio quoting napue napue antedated chapman california harmless beyond reasonable doubt standard established chapman noted little difference rule formulated napue terms whether reasonable possibility evidence complained might contributed conviction rule requiring beneficiary constitutional error prove beyond reasonable doubt error complained contribute verdict obtained quoting fahy connecticut therefore clear indeed government concedes see brief precedents indicate standard review applicable knowing use perjured testimony equivalent chapman standard true nondisclosure treated error subject review nondisclosure treated error evidence material harmless beyond reasonable doubt standard agurs identified brady case specific information requested defense request brady extrajudicial statements brady accomplice see agurs noted fair analysis holding brady indicates implicit requirement materiality concern suppressed evidence might affected outcome trial since agurs identified brady specific request case see supra language might taken indicating standard materiality applicable case clear however language merely explains meaning term materiality establish standard materiality indicate quantum likelihood must undisclosed evidence affected outcome particular explained strickland defendant challenges conviction question whether reasonable probability absent errors factfinder reasonable doubt respecting guilt justice white chief justice justice rehnquist join concurring part concurring judgment agree respondent entitled conviction overturned unless show evidence withheld government material therefore join parts ii opinion also agree justice blackmun purposes inquiry evidence material reasonable probability evidence disclosed defense result proceeding different ante justice correctly observes standard sufficiently flexible cover instances prosecutorial failure disclose evidence favorable accused ibid given flexibility standard inherently nature cases applied however see reason attempt elaborate relevance inquiry specificity defense request disclosure either generally respect case hold simply proper standard one reasonable probability appeals failure apply standard necessitates reversal therefore concur judgment government withholds defendant evidence might impeach prosecution witnesses failure disclose deemed harmless error precisely nature undisclosed evidence case affirm judgment appeals remand proceedings federal grand jury indicted respondent hughes anderson bagley charges involving possession controlled substances intent distribute following bench trial bagley found guilty firearms charges guilty two counts knowingly intentionally distributing valium guilty several counts lesser included offense possession controlled substances sentenced six months imprisonment special parole term five years first count distribution three years imprisonment suspended five years probation second distribution count received suspended sentence five years probation possession convictions record plainly demonstrates two counts bagley received sentences imprisonment government entire case hinged testimony two private security guards aided bureau alcohol tobacco firearms atf investigation bagley two guards mitchell worked milwaukee railroad three years social acquaintances bagley often shared coffee breaks tr tr trial testified two separate occasions visited bagley home bagley responded complaint extremely anxious giving valium pills total bagley received representing cost pills trial bagley testified prescription valium suffered bad back tr testimony contrary introduced mitchell testified worn concealed transmitters body recorders meetings tape recordings insufficiently clear admitted trial corroborate testimony trial counsel bagley filed detailed discovery motion requesting among things deals promises inducements made witnesses exchange testimony app response discovery request government provided affidavits sworn mitchell prepared investigation bagley affidavit recounted detail dealings witnesses bagley closed declaration made statement freely voluntarily without threats rewards promises reward made return brief quoting memorandum points authorities support pet habeas corpus cd cal exhibits agents testified trial thereafter government disclose existence deals promises inducements counsel bagley asked whether testifying response pressure threats government job said tr light affidavits well prosecutor silence existence promises deals inducements counsel pursue issue bias either guard turns however may seven months prior trial mitchell signed agreement providing atf pay information provided form entitled contract purchase information payment lump sum therefor provided bureau upon accomplishment objective sought obtained pay said vendor sum commensurate services information rendered app invited bureau special agent charge investigation agent prins recommend amount paid information received proved worthy compensation agent prins personally presented forms mitchell signatures two witnesses signed last affidavits declared absence promise reward day signed atf forms trial agent prins requested mitchell paid bureau reduced rewards app pet cert district judge concluded appears probable mitchell expect receive kind compensation expenses assistance though perhaps testimony upon discovering atf forms freedom information act request bagley sought relief conviction district judge denied bagley motion vacate sentence stating judge original trier fact able determine effect contracts decision four years earlier convict bagley judge stated beyond reasonable doubt contracts disclosed effect upon convictions read entirety transcripts testimony james donald mitchell trial almost testimony witnesses devoted firearm charges indictment found defendant guilty charges respect charges defendant distributing controlled substances possessing controlled substances intention distributing testimony mitchell relatively brief respect charges relating controlled substances witnesses defendant counsel seek discredit testimony facts distribution rather sought show controlled substances question came supplies prescribed defendant use aspect testimony testimony mitchell tended favorable defendant second statement bagley attempt discredit witnesses testimony suggest impeachment evidence used defense ignores realities trial preparation strategy factually erroneous well initially government failure disclose existence inducements witnesses coupled disclosure affidavits stating promises made lead careless lawyer step wide clear questions promises inducements combination nondisclosure disclosure simply lead reasonable attorney believe witness impeached basis thus firm avowal payment received return assistance testimony offered trial witness even government employee devastating defense wise attorney necessity seek alternative defense strategy moreover counsel bagley fact attempt discredit asking whether two atf agents pressured threatened job might jeopardy order get cooperate tr answered negative counsel stopped line questioning addition counsel bagley attempted argue district closing argument mitchell fabricated accounts tr rejected proposition let say find hard believe really testimony fabricated think might mistaken know possible mistaken really get impression either one men trying least make case defendant emphasis added case unique whenever government fails response request disclose impeachment evidence relating credibility key witnesses process trial necessarily thrown askew failure disclose evidence affecting overall credibility witnesses corrupts process degree instances see giglio napue illinois agurs marshall dissenting reliability given witness may well determinative guilt innocence giglio supra quoting napue supra government case depend almost entirely testimony certain witness evidence witness possible bias simply may said irrelevant omission harmless chief justice said giglio ordered new trial case promise key witness disclosed jury ithout taliento testimony indictment evidence carry case jury taliento credibility witness therefore important issue case evidence understanding agreement future prosecution relevant credibility jury entitled know reasons due process requirements enunciated napue cases cited earlier require new trial indeed giglio essentially compels result similarities case one evident cases triers fact left unaware government inducements key witnesses cases individual trial prosecutors acted good faith failed disclose exculpatory evidence see giglio supra app pet cert magistrate finding bagley prosecutor disclosed information known sole difference two cases lies fact giglio prosecutor affirmatively stated trier fact promises made silence response defense request took place affirmative error trial although prosecutor make affirmative misrepresentation defense affidavits thus case trier fact left unaware powerful reasons question credibility witnesses process corrupted withholding evidence favorable defense regardless whether evidence directly contradictory evidence offered prosecution agurs supra marshall dissenting case giglio new trial order appeals correctly reversed district denial relief ii instead affirming today chooses reverse remand case application newly stated standard facts case believe evidence issue remained undisclosed despite particular request undoubtedly material standard also serious doubts whether definition constitutional right issue adequately takes account interests sought protect decision brady maryland begin fundamental premise hardly bears repeating purpose trial much acquittal innocent person conviction guilty one application kapatos supp sdny see giles maryland fortas concurring judgment state obligation convict see far possible truth emerges evidence favorable defendant known exist disclosure enhances quest truth takes direct toll inquiry moreover existence small piece evidence favorable defense may particular case create doubt prevents jury returning verdict guilty private whys wherefores jury deliberations pose impenetrable barrier ability know piece information might make might made difference state disclose information possession might reasonably considered favorable defense precludes trier fact gaining access information thereby undermines reliability verdict unlike situation exculpatory evidence exists neither defense prosecutor uncovered situation state already resting files material assistance defendant minimum effort state improve real apparent fairness trial enormously assuring defendant may place trier fact favorable evidence known government proposition new long recognized within limit state ability identify exculpatory information state concern fair verdict precludes withholding defense evidence favorable defendant case prosecutor files see pyle kansas allegation imprisonment resulted perjured testimony deliberate suppression authorities evidence favorable charge deprivation rights guaranteed federal constitution recognition doubt stems part frequently considerable imbalance resources criminal defendants prosecutors offices many perhaps criminal defendants represented appointed counsel often paid minimal wages operate shoestring budgets addition unlike police defense counsel generally present scene crime time arrest instead comes case late moreover unlike government defense counsel position make deals witnesses gain evidence thus inexperienced unskilled unaggressive attorney often unable amass factual support necessary reasonable defense favorable evidence hands prosecutor disclosed result may well defendant deprived fair chance trier fact trier fact deprived ingredients necessary fair decision grim reality course poses direct challenge traditional model adversary criminal process perhaps reality directly questions fairness longstanding processes change cautions halting thus gone full road expressly required state provide defendant access prosecutor complete files investigators assure defendant opportunity discover every existing piece helpful evidence cf ake oklahoma access assistance psychiatrist constitutionally required proper showing need instead acknowledgment fact important interests served potentially favorable evidence disclosed fashioned compromise requiring prosecution identify disclose defendant favorable material possesses requirement small albeit important step toward equality justice brady maryland course established requirement disclosure fundamental element fair trial holding defendant denied due process given access favorable evidence material either guilt punishment since brady decided struggled series decisions define best effectuate right recognized mind brady decision reasoning underlay fundamental interest fair trial combine give criminal defendant right receive prosecutor prosecutor affirmative duty turn defendant information known government might reasonably considered favorable defendant case formulation right imposition duty essence due process law state tries man state must insure trial fair moore illinois marshall concurring part dissenting part right denied duty shirked however believe reviewing automatically reverse instead apply test developed instances error affecting constitutional rights see chapman california view based significant part reality criminal practice consequently inadequate protection defendant different rule offer implement brady courts must course work within confines criminal process system criminal justice animated two seemingly incompatible notions adversary model state primary concern justice convictions brady course reflects latter goal justice ways odds competing model sporting event goal must integrate brady right harsh daily reality apparently discordant criminal process trial level duty state effectuate brady devolves duty prosecutor dual role prosecutor must play poses serious obstacle implementing brady prosecutor trade necessity zealous advocate trained attorney must aggressively seek convictions behalf victimized public time representative state must place foremost hierarchy interests determination truth thus purposes brady prosecutor must abandon role advocate pore files objectively possible identify material undermine case given obviously unharmonious role surprising advocates oftentimes overlook downplay potentially favorable evidence often cases doubt failure disclose result absolute good faith indeed one need think fourth amendment requirement neutral intermediary tests strength facts recognize curious status brady imposes prosecutor one telling example offered judge newman attorney suffices recently occasion discuss brady pli conference new york city large group state prosecutors put case prosecuting bank robbery talked two three tellers one two customers time robbery taken look defendant said man course investigation also found another customer bank day viewed suspect came back said man question put prosecutors believe disclose defense name witness viewed suspect said man room prosecutors quite large group almost large two hands went two prosecutors group felt disclose disclose information yet putting thought easiest case clearest case disclosure exculpatory information newman panel discussion judicial conference second judicial circuit reprinted discovery criminal cases hereafter newman prosecutor surely greets moment must turn brady material little enthusiasm perusing files must make often difficult decision whether evidence favorable must decide side err faced doubt role advocate answers clear role representative state answers equally clear often contrary evidence doubtful worth eyes prosecutor inestimable value defense might make difference trier fact prosecutor suspects certain information might favorable implications defense either potentially exculpatory relevant credibility see reason required disclose favorable evidence indisputably enhances process trial job defense prosecution decide whether way use arguably favorable evidence addition require disclosure evidence might reasonably considered favorable defendant precautionary effect assuring information potential consequence mistakenly overlooked requiring full disclosure favorable evidence way courts begin assure possibly dispositive piece information withheld trier fact prosecutor torn two roles must play clear rule kind coupled presumption favor disclosure also facilitate prosecutor admittedly difficult task removing substantial amount unguided discretion trial thereby due process seem require rule absent countervailing interest see little reason government keep information defendant interest nondisclosure trial stage best slight government apparently seeks avoid administrative hassle disclosure prevent disclosure inculpatory evidence might result witness intimidation manufactured rebuttal evidence neither concerns however counsels favor rule nondisclosure close ambiguous cases contrary rule simplifying disclosure decision definition make decision complex disclosure favorable evidence inevitably lead disclosure inculpatory evidence might open file policy anticipated wrongdoings defendants lawyers indeed fears warranted mechanisms disciplining unscrupulous defense counsel hamstringing clients need one simply find state interest warrants withholding presumptively innocent defendant whose liberty stake proceeding information bears case might enable defend foregoing analysis prosecutor duty quite straightforward must divulge evidence reasonably appears favorable defendant erring side disclosure however offers complex alternative defines right reference possible usefulness particular evidence preparing presenting case retrospectively reference likely effect evidence outcome trial thus holds due process require prosecutor turn evidence unless evidence material evidence material reasonable probability evidence disclosed defense result proceeding different ante although looks like standard review see strickland washington adopting standard review instead relies review standard define contours defendant constitutional right certain material prior trial adhering view articulated agurs constitutional duty disclose evidence unless nondisclosure certain impact trial permits prosecutors withhold impunity large amounts undeniably favorable evidence imposes prosecutors burden identify disclose evidence pursuant pretrial standard virtually defies definition standard disclosure articulates today enables prosecutors avoid disclosing obviously exculpatory evidence acting well within bounds constitutional obligation numerous lower cases provide examples evidence undoubtedly favorable necessarily material definition consequently disclosed defendant view see sperling prior statement disclosing motive key government witness testify cert denied king ponte prior inconsistent statements government witness see also oxman addressing disturbing prosecutorial tendency withhold information later opportunity argue benefit hindsight information material cert pending sub nom pflaumer result veer sharply away basic notion fairness trial increases amount existing favorable evidence defendant access disavow ideal full disclosure definition poses serious problems besides legitimizing nondisclosure clearly favorable evidence standard set also asks prosecutor predict effect various pieces evidence trial must evaluate case case defendant presumably knows little perform impossible task deciding whether certain piece information significant impact trial bearing mind defendant later shoulder heavy burden proving affected outcome best standard places prosecutor responsibility speculate times without foundation since prosecutor normally know strategy defense pursue evidence defense find useful worst standard invites prosecutor whose interests conflicting gamble play odds take chance evidence later turn potentially dispositive one appeals recently vented frustration unfortunate consequences seems clear tests materiality tendency encourage unilateral prosecutors respect disclosure root problem prosecutor tendency adopt retrospective view materiality trial prosecutor know whether trial particular evidence prove material following adversarial instincts prosecutors determined unilaterally evidence material often good faith disclosed neither defense counsel evidence emerges trial prosecutor always argue benefit hindsight material oxman supra simply agree due process right favorable evidence recognized brady intended become entangled prosecutorial determinations likelihood particular information affect outcome trial almost decade lower practice agurs convinces courts prosecutors come pay much deference federal common law policy discouraging discovery criminal cases little regard due process law defendants oxman supra apparently anxious assure reversals handed sparingly defined rigorous test materiality eager apply materiality standard pretrial stage permits prosecutors lose sight basic principles underlying doctrine return original theory promise brady reassert duty prosecutor disclose evidence files might reasonably considered favorable defendant case prosecutor know prior trial whether evidence consequence trial mere fact might however suffices mandate disclosure saying recognize failure divulge favorable information result reversal cases may conviction affirmed appeal despite prosecutor failure disclose evidence reasonably might deemed potentially favorable prior trial state interest nondisclosure trial minimal therefore yield readily apparent benefit full disclosure convey search truth trial however benefits disclosure may times tempered state legitimate desire avoid retrial error harmless however making determination harmlessness apply normal constitutional error test reverse unless clear beyond reasonable doubt withheld evidence affected outcome trial see chapman california see also agurs marshall dissenting rule automatic reversal course dilutes brady right extent offers prosecutor incentive turn information practical effect might argued little difference rule propose prosecutor must disclose favorable evidence files subject review rule adopts prosecutor must disclose favorable information might affect outcome trial according argument constitutional right favorable evidence leads reversal withheld evidence might affected outcome trial result constitutional right evidence affect trial outcome see capra access exculpatory evidence avoiding agurs problems prosecutorial discretion retrospective review ford rev several reasons however disagree first faith prosecutor treat rule requiring disclosure information certain kind differently rule requiring disclosure information second persistent egregious failure comply constitutional duty lead disciplinary actions courts third standard harmlessness adopt protective defendant chosen placing burden prosecutor rather defendant prove harmlessness actions foolish prosecutor gambled glibly standard review finally unrealistic ignore fact appellate stage state interest avoiding retrial error harmless beyond reasonable doubt interest counsels requiring new trial every case thus believe review harmlessness order disagree standard even merely standard review definition materiality first see significant difference purposes giglio situation one reasons believe result must therefore giglio see supra also believe standard reversal defendant entitlement new trial different two cases burden faces appeal also giglio remains law class cases reaffirm belief standard applies case well see agurs supra marshall dissenting second strict appellate standard places prosecutor burden defend decisions remove incentive gamble finding harmlessness lesser standard especially one defendant bears burden proof provides prosecutor ample room withhold favorable evidence provides reviewing simple means affirm whenever view correct result reached especially true given speculative nature retrospective review appellate review might extremely difficult context adversarial system evidence introduced vacuum rather built upon absence certain evidence may thus affect usefulness hence use evidence defense counsel access indeed absence piece evidence may affect entire trial strategy defense counsel capra supra even protective standard review however courts must careful focus nature evidence made available defendant simply quantity evidence defendant separate withheld evidence otherwise today acknowledges reviewing risks overlooking fact failure disclose direct effect entire course trial without doubt defense counsel develops trial strategy based available evidence missing piece information may well preclude attorney pursuing strategy potentially effective client might consequently convicted even though nondisclosed information might offered additional alternative defense pure exculpation circumstances reviewing must sure focus amount evidence supporting verdict determine whether trier fact reasonably reach conclusion instead must decide whether prosecution shown beyond reasonable doubt new evidence disclosed developed reasonably competent counsel affected outcome trial case readily apparent undisclosed information impact defense presented trial perhaps judgment counsel bagley argued trial judge government two key witnesses fabricated accounts drug distributions trial judge rejected argument lack evidence motive see supra key witnesses turned receive monetary rewards whose size contingent usefulness assistance rewards served strengthen incentive testify falsely order secure conviction ante mind need said harmless affirm judgment appeals early made clear prior trial defendant must access impeachment evidence government possession addressing defendant aaron burr claim access letter general wilkinson key witness burr trial treason chief justice marshall wrote application letter case shown terms communication made statement conduct accused made person declared essential witness order producing letter opposed first material defense principle universally acknowledged party right oppose testimony witness declarations witness made times subject possesses right must bring forward proof declarations proof must obtained knows positively witness say waits witness heard trial late meet former declarations former declarations therefore constitute mass testimony party right obtain way precaution positive necessity decided trial burr cas cc see fortas fifth amendment nemo tenetur prodere seipsum clev state defendant meet law contemplates adversary trial equals strength strength resource resource argument argument see also babcock fair play evidence favorable accused effective assistance counsel stan rev discussing challenge brady poses traditional adversary model indeed recent decision stating stringent standard demonstrating ineffective assistance counsel makes effective brady right even crucial without real guarantee effective counsel relative abilities state defendant become even skewed need minimal guarantee access potentially favorable information becomes significantly greater see strickland washington marshall dissenting babcock supra discussing interplay right brady material right effective assistance counsel see newman describing serious problem witness intimidation arises prosecutor disclosure witnesses see brennan criminal prosecution sporting event quest truth disputing similar argument brady stated rule suppression prosecution evidence favorable defendant violates due process evidence material either guilt punishment also observed two decisions appeals third circuit state correct constitutional rule neither decisions limited right evidence material within meaning today articulates instead provide strong evidence brady might used word evidentiary sense mean essentially germane points issue ex rel almeida baldi cert denied appeals granted petition habeas corpus case state withheld defendant evidence might mitigated punishment describing withheld evidence relevant pertinent concluded think conduct commonwealth outlined instant case conflict fundamental principles liberty justice suppression evidence favorable almeida denial due process similarly ex rel thompson dye cert denied district denied petition habeas corpus finding certain evidence defendant drunkenness time offense question vital defense require disclosure supp wd appeals reversed observing whether jury ultimately credit evidence issue evidence substantial state failure disclose held matter law unimportant defense clear term material evidentiary meaning quite distinct attributes judge weinstein example defines synonymous words ultimate fact operative fact material fact consequential fact means fact consequence determination action weinstein berger weinstein evidence quoting fed rule evid similarly another treatise evidence explains two components relevance materiality probative value materiality looks relation propositions evidence offered issues case evidence offered help prove proposition matter issue evidence immaterial cleary mccormick evidence ed probative value addresses tendency evidence establish material proposition ibid see also wigmore evidence tillers rev nothing brady suggest intended anything rule favorable evidence need relate proposition issue case order merit disclosure even use term material simply refer favorable evidence might relevant however still believe due process requires prosecutors duty disclose evidence inherent difficulty applying prior trial definition relates outcome trial based speculation knowledge means considerable amount potentially consequential material might slip standard given experience past decade agurs practical problem inevitably exists evidence must disclosed prior trial use conclude potentially favorable evidence must disclosed course agree courts allowed exceptions rule showing exigent circumstances based security law enforcement needs case deliberate prosecutorial misconduct automatic reversal might well proper certain kinds constitutional error infect system justice require reversal cases discrimination jury selection see peters kiff deliberate effort prosecutor undermine search truth clearly category offenses antithetical basic vision role state criminal process example ex rel butler maroney defendant convicted murder trial counsel based defense temporary insanity time murder trial testimony suggested shooting might accidental result struggle defense counsel develop defense later turned eyewitness shooting given police statement victim butler struggled prior murder defense counsel known trial eyewitness seen might relied additional defense might emphasized struggle see note prosecutor constitutional duty reveal evidence defendant yale unless information already known counsel trial failure disclose evidence kind simply harmless reasonably competent counsel might utilized yield different outcome matter overwhelming evidence butler committed murder right go trier fact present best available defense similarly ashley texas cert denied defendant sentenced death murder prosecutor disclosed defense psychiatrist report indicating defendant sane failed disclose reports psychiatrist psychologist indicating defendant insane information relate trial defense failure disclose evidence clearly prevented defense counsel developing possibly dispositive defense might developed psychiatric examinations presentation trial nondisclosed evidence obviously threw entire course trial preparation new trial order case simply need consider light evidence actually presented quantity evidence support verdict returned possible effect information particular jury heard case indeed make evaluation substitute reviewing judgment facts including previously undisclosed evidence jury without benefit competent counsel development information see also field assessing harmlessness federal constitutional error process need rationale rev discussing application test justice stevens dissenting case involves straightforward application rule announced brady maryland case involving nondisclosure material evidence prosecution response specific request defense agree appeals misdescribed rule see ante respectfully dissent unwarranted decision rewrite rule correctly notes outset opinion ante holding brady suppression prosecution evidence favorable accused upon request violates due process evidence material either guilt punishment noted agurs rule brady arguably might apply three different situations involving discovery trial evidence known prior trial prosecution defense holding agurs brady rule applies two situations third two situations rule applies demonstrating prosecution knowing use perjured testimony exemplified mooney holohan prosecution suppression favorable evidence specifically requested defendant exemplified brady situations prosecution deliberate nondisclosure constitutes constitutional error conviction must set aside suppressed perjured evidence material reasonable likelihood affected outcome trial see brady supra tend exculpate accord reasonable likelihood giglio reasonable likelihood napue illinois may effect outcome combination willful prosecutorial suppression evidence importantly potential corruption function trial process requires result brady suppressed confession inadmissible guilt affected outcome issue however evidence affected brady punishment therefore material latter issue former ibid materiality thus used describe admissible evidence affected dispositive issue trial question agurs whether brady rule extended cover case neither perjury specific request whether prosecution constitutional duty search files disclose automatically response general request evidence might helped defense might affected outcome evidence course covered brady formulation specifically requested noted agurs however specific defense request evidence notice prosecution defense already evidence considered evidence particular value consequently stated absence request prosecution constitutional duty volunteer obviously exculpatory evidence constitutional duty disclose different duty described brady surprising developed different standard materiality agurs context necessarily describing inevitably imprecise standard terms appropriate review held constitutional violation occurs absence specific request unless omitted evidence creates reasonable doubt otherwise exist ignores regard agurs analysis restricted entirely general context standard materiality fashioned purpose determining whether prosecutor failure volunteer exculpatory evidence amounted constitutional error unnecessary regard two categories prosecutorial suppression already covered brady rule specific situation agurs well circumstances strickland washington simply falls outside brady context ante brady rule unquestionably applies case government failed disclose favorable evidence clearly responsive defendant specific request bagley conviction therefore must set aside suppressed evidence material obviously see supra reasonable likelihood affected judgment trier fact choice therefore merely whether affirm reasons stated part justice marshall dissent remand appeals review standard stated brady follow latter course disagree justice marshall analysis record believe perform task reviewing trial transcripts first instance see hasting stevens concurring judgment confident appeals reach appropriate result applied proper standard however today sets reformulation brady rule confidence even though prosecution suppressed evidence specifically requested apparently appeals may reverse reasonable probability suppressed evidence altered result trial ante according single rule sufficiently flexible cover specific well general instances nondisclosure ante least view justice blackmun justice reviewing consider directly standard threatening effect nondisclosure response specific defense request generally function adversary process ante opinion blackmun agree approach stretches concept materiality beyond recognizable scope transforming merely evidentiary concept used brady agurs required material evidence admissible probative guilt innocence context specific request standard seems include independent weight favor affirming convictions despite evidentiary suppression evidence favorable accused relevant dispositive issue guilt apparently may still found material hence suppressible prosecutors prior trial unless reasonable probability use result acquittal justice marshall rightly criticizes incentives standard creates prosecutors gamble play odds take chance evidence later turn potentially dispositive ante moreover analysis reduces significance deliberate prosecutorial suppression potentially exculpatory evidence merely one numerous factors may considered reviewing ante opinion blackmun faithful statement agurs hen prosecutor receives specific relevant request failure make response seldom ever excusable suppression far serious mere nondisclosure evidence defense expressed particular interest reviewing attach great significance silence face specific request responsive evidence later shown government possession silence actively misleads way affirmative representation exculpatory evidence exist fact perjury indeed two situations aptly described sides single coin babcock fair play evidence favorable accused effective assistance counsel stan rev accordingly although judgment appeals vacated case remanded proceedings disagree statement correct standard applied therefore respectfully dissent judgment case remanded determination new standard agree reference constitutional error case see ante emphasis added believe violation brady rule definition constitutional error cf agurs rejecting rule making every nondisclosure automatic error outside brady specific request perjury contexts written brady rule due process clause violated favorable evidence turned upon request evidence material either guilt punishment brady maryland justice marshall explication record case demonstrates ante suppressed evidence favorable bagley also unquestionably material issue guilt innocence two witnesses signed undisclosed contract purchase information trial witnesses two distribution counts bagley convicted defense counsel attempted undercut witnesses credibility obviously central issue little factual basis defense counsel suggested lack credibility final argument bench trial trial judge demurred really get impression either one men trying least make case defendant finding evidence showing witnesses fact direct personal stake respondent conviction ante nevertheless material egregiously erroneous standard prosecution withholds evidence demand accused made available tend exculpate reduce penalty helps shape trial bears heavily defendant casts prosecutor role architect proceeding comport standards justice brady supra conclude significant difference cases merely general request exculpatory matter cases like one must decide request consider whether prosecutor constitutional duty volunteer exculpatory matter defense standard materiality gives rise duty proper standard materiality must reflect overriding concern justice finding guilt finding permissible supported evidence establishing guilt beyond reasonable doubt necessarily follows omitted evidence creates reasonable doubt otherwise exist constitutional error committed omitted also held agurs request particular information made determination whether failure voluntarily disclose exculpatory evidence amounts constitutional error depends character evidence character prosecutor nevertheless implicitly acknowledging broad discretion trial appellate courts must ensure fairness area noted prudent prosecutor resolve doubtful questions favor disclosure finally noted determination reasonable doubt vary even context depending circumstances case example verdict already questionable validity additional evidence relatively minor importance might sufficient create reasonable doubt see ante starting point framework evaluating materiality brady evidence established agurs ante referring generally agurs standard materiality undisclosed evidence ante marshall dissenting describing agurs stating general rule constitutional duty disclose evidence unless nondisclosure certain impact trial see babcock fair play evidence favorable accused effective assistance counsel stan rev agurs distinguished situations two brady contexts standard continue course agree justice blackmun ante justice marshall ante long line precedents establishing reasonable likelihood standard use perjured testimony remains intact also note plainly envisions reversal bagley conviction possible remand even new standard formulated today cases see ante