D. Subpoena Duces Tecum (See also, SUBPOENAS, this Digest)
R. 1:9-2 governs the use of subpoenas duces tecum to
obtain documents, papers, or tangible things, but the
court on a motion made promptly may quash or modify
the subpoena if compliance would be unreasonable or
oppressive. Cupano v. Gluck, 133 N.J. 225, 236 (1993);
State v. Bodtmann, 239 N.J. Super. 33, 38 (App. Div.
1990). A valid subpoena must specify its subject with
reasonable certainty, and a substantial showing must be
made that the records contain evidence relevant and
material to the issue. State v. Cooper, 2 N.J. 540, 556
(1949); Greenblatt v. New Jersey Bd. of Pharmacy, 214 N.J.
Super. 269, 275-76 (App. Div. 1986).
E. Depositions
R. 3:13-2 permits the taking of depositions of a
material witness, generally by videotaping. Defendants
have no constitutional right, however, to depose
witnesses, unwilling to speak to them, solely for discovery
purposes to learn what they know. State v. Tate, 47 N.J.
352, 353-57 (1966); State v. Harris, 263 N.J. Super. 418,
421-22 (Law Div. 1993); see State v. Mitchell, 164 N.J.
Super. 198, 201-03 (App. Div. 1978) (defendant made
no proper showing necessary to subpoena for oral
depositions the Attorney General, the Director of the
Division of Criminal Justice, and the Superintendent of
the State Police).
II. DISCOVERY BY THE STATE
A. Generally
See R. 3:12 and R. 3:13-3(d)
B. Defendant’s Obligation to Provide Notice
R. 3:12-1 requires defendant to give timely, written
notice to the prosecutor of the intent to rely on certain
defenses and Code provisions. State v. Lambert, 275 N.J.
Super. 125, 133 (App. Div. 1994); State v. L.K., 244 N.J.
Super. 261, 265, 271 (App. Div. 1990); State v. Alston,
212 N.J. Super. 644, 648 (App. Div. 1986).
C. Notice of Alibi
R. 3:12-2 (formerly R. 3:11-1 and 2) requires
defendant to give a timely, signed alibi upon the
prosecutor’s written demand, and the failure to do so may
result in the refusal to present alibi witnesses at trial. State
v. Silva, 131 N.J. 438, 448-49 (1993); State v. Rowe, 316
N.J. Super. 425, 435-36 (App. Div. 1998), certif. denied,
160 N.J. 89 (1999). This requirement does not violate
defendant’s privilege against self-incrimination, but the
State cannot admit the notice into evidence even though
it can use it as a prior inconsistent statement in cross-
examining a testifying defendant. State v. Irving, 114 N.J.
427, 435, 437-41 (1989); State v. Rowe, 316 N.J. Super.
at 435-36; State v. Lumumba, 253 N.J. Super. 375, 396-
97 (App. Div. 1992); State in re J.H., 244 N.J. Super.
207, 217 (App. Div. 1990); State v. Aceta, 223 N.J.
Super. 21, 28 (App. Div. 1988).D. Scientific and Medical Reports
R. 3:13-3(d)(1) (formerly R. 3:13-3(b)(1)) requires
defendant to provide the State with reports and results of
physical or mental examinations and of scientific tests or
experiments made in connection with the case. Cf. State
v. Alston, 212 N.J. Super. at 647-49 (defendant must
supply State with records relating to defense to be
asserted at trial). Defendant need not disclose an expert’s
reports he or she will not use at trial. State v. Mingo, 77
N.J. 576, 585-87 (1978); State v. Spencer, 319 N.J.
Super. 284, 301-02 (App. Div. 1999); State v. Weston,
216 N.J. Super. 543, 546-47 (Law Div. 1986).E. Notice of Insanity or State of Mind Defenses
(See also, COMPETENCY, COURTS [instructions to
the jury], DEFENSES and INSANITY, this Digest)- Generally
R. 3:12-1 requires that a defendant intending to
claim insanity as a defense pursuant to N.J.S.A. 2C:4-1,
or that he or she lacked the requisite state of mind due to
mental disease or defect pursuant to N.J.S.A. 2C:4-2,
must serve written notice to the State no later than seven
days before the arraignment/status conference. If
defendant requests or receives discovery pursuant to R.
3:13-3, he or she must, when notice is served, turn over
to the prosecutor discovery pertaining to these defenses.
The court may for good cause extend the time for service,
or enter such order as the interest of justice requires. In
re Mandell, 250 N.J. Super. 125, 130 (App. Div. 1991)
(defendant need not reveal any defense, strategy, or tactic
except those set forth in R. 3:12-1 (various statutory
defenses) or R. 3:12-2 (alibi)); State v. Alston, 212 N.J.
Super. at 648 (same); but see State v. Chew, 159 N.J. 183,
226 (defendants in capital cases need not serve notice that
they intend to rely on N.J.S.A. 2C:11-3c(5)(a)
mitigating factor -- extreme mental or emotional