For the Defense - Volume 3, Issue 1 - 2018 - 45
Ricker, many prosecutors operate under the
"less is more theory" regarding testimony at
a preliminary hearing. Remember, the fewer
times an officer or witness testifies, the less
he is subjected to cross examination reducing
the chance for inconsistencies to arise during
testimony later at trial. Calling witnesses that
the Commonwealth does not allows the defense
to maintain the record for later impeachment
and gives the defense the ability to negate
the Commonwealth's prima facie case at a
preliminary hearing.
Subpoena Duces Tecum
The use of a subpoena to obtain records or
documents at the time of a preliminary hearing
may also be helpful. A subpoena duces tecum is
utilized to compel a witness to produce books,
papers, and other documents.14 While the scope
of the preliminary hearing is limited, evidence
utilized in negating a Commonwealth's prima
facie case does not exclusively pertain to
fact witness testimony.15 Evidence
such as phone records, medical
records, other documents,
video surveillance or
photographs can be
acquired through
the magisterial
subpoena power.
It is important to
remember that
when crafting
a subpoena
duces tecum,
the documents,
records, or
things to be
produced must
be specified.16
Moreover, the
criminal defense
attorney needs to
be mindful of the
comment to Pa.R.Cr.P.
107, which provides:
"[A] criminal defendant
may obtain evidence which
s/he deems material and which cannot be
obtained through other avenues by service of a
subpoena duces tecum upon the custodian of the
record or other evidence sought."17
Finally, criminal defense attorneys must
keep in mind that the defendant can only
call witnesses in an attempt to negate the
Commonwealth's prima facie case at this stage.
Craft your request carefully to enhance your
ability to effectively subpoena what you need
to effectively represent your client during his
preliminary hearing. Be sure to identify who
can testify as a custodian of the items you need,
subpoena that person and specifically describe
what you need him to bring when he appears in
court.18
How to serve a subpoena on
witnesses?
In the case of In re January, 1974 Special
Grand Jury, the Court held that the customs
and practice with respect to subpoena
procedure are longstanding
and well-known in
judicial proceedings.19
With respect to
a preliminary
hearing, as in
any criminal
proceeding,
any party
Vol. 3, Issue 1
l
For The Defense
45
Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of For the Defense - Volume 3, Issue 1 - 2018
Contents
For the Defense - Volume 3, Issue 1 - 2018 - 1
For the Defense - Volume 3, Issue 1 - 2018 - 2
For the Defense - Volume 3, Issue 1 - 2018 - Contents
For the Defense - Volume 3, Issue 1 - 2018 - 4
For the Defense - Volume 3, Issue 1 - 2018 - 5
For the Defense - Volume 3, Issue 1 - 2018 - 6
For the Defense - Volume 3, Issue 1 - 2018 - 7
For the Defense - Volume 3, Issue 1 - 2018 - 8
For the Defense - Volume 3, Issue 1 - 2018 - 9
For the Defense - Volume 3, Issue 1 - 2018 - 10
For the Defense - Volume 3, Issue 1 - 2018 - 11
For the Defense - Volume 3, Issue 1 - 2018 - 12
For the Defense - Volume 3, Issue 1 - 2018 - 13
For the Defense - Volume 3, Issue 1 - 2018 - 14
For the Defense - Volume 3, Issue 1 - 2018 - 15
For the Defense - Volume 3, Issue 1 - 2018 - 16
For the Defense - Volume 3, Issue 1 - 2018 - 17
For the Defense - Volume 3, Issue 1 - 2018 - 18
For the Defense - Volume 3, Issue 1 - 2018 - 19
For the Defense - Volume 3, Issue 1 - 2018 - 20
For the Defense - Volume 3, Issue 1 - 2018 - 21
For the Defense - Volume 3, Issue 1 - 2018 - 22
For the Defense - Volume 3, Issue 1 - 2018 - 23
For the Defense - Volume 3, Issue 1 - 2018 - 24
For the Defense - Volume 3, Issue 1 - 2018 - 25
For the Defense - Volume 3, Issue 1 - 2018 - 26
For the Defense - Volume 3, Issue 1 - 2018 - 27
For the Defense - Volume 3, Issue 1 - 2018 - 28
For the Defense - Volume 3, Issue 1 - 2018 - 29
For the Defense - Volume 3, Issue 1 - 2018 - 30
For the Defense - Volume 3, Issue 1 - 2018 - 31
For the Defense - Volume 3, Issue 1 - 2018 - 32
For the Defense - Volume 3, Issue 1 - 2018 - 33
For the Defense - Volume 3, Issue 1 - 2018 - 34
For the Defense - Volume 3, Issue 1 - 2018 - 35
For the Defense - Volume 3, Issue 1 - 2018 - 36
For the Defense - Volume 3, Issue 1 - 2018 - 37
For the Defense - Volume 3, Issue 1 - 2018 - 38
For the Defense - Volume 3, Issue 1 - 2018 - 39
For the Defense - Volume 3, Issue 1 - 2018 - 40
For the Defense - Volume 3, Issue 1 - 2018 - 41
For the Defense - Volume 3, Issue 1 - 2018 - 42
For the Defense - Volume 3, Issue 1 - 2018 - 43
For the Defense - Volume 3, Issue 1 - 2018 - 44
For the Defense - Volume 3, Issue 1 - 2018 - 45
For the Defense - Volume 3, Issue 1 - 2018 - 46
For the Defense - Volume 3, Issue 1 - 2018 - 47
For the Defense - Volume 3, Issue 1 - 2018 - 48
For the Defense - Volume 3, Issue 1 - 2018 - 49
For the Defense - Volume 3, Issue 1 - 2018 - 50
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For the Defense - Volume 3, Issue 1 - 2018 - 53
For the Defense - Volume 3, Issue 1 - 2018 - 54
For the Defense - Volume 3, Issue 1 - 2018 - 55
For the Defense - Volume 3, Issue 1 - 2018 - 56
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