Legal Definitions - reverse discovery

Reverse discovery is a legal term used in criminal procedure. It refers to the process of obtaining a witness's written or recorded pretrial statement that a prosecutor is entitled to have in preparing to cross-examine the witness. This is also known as reverse Jencks material.

For example, if a defendant in a criminal case calls a witness to testify on their behalf, the prosecutor is entitled to obtain any written or recorded statements made by that witness before the trial. This is to help the prosecutor prepare for cross-examination and to ensure that they have all the necessary information to present their case.

Reverse discovery is important because it helps to ensure that both the prosecution and defense have access to all the relevant information before a trial. This helps to ensure that the trial is fair and that justice is served.