Safeguarding Victim Privacy: A Plan of Action for Prosecutors

Prosecutors have an obligation to provide to the defense all evidence in the government’s possession or control that is material to a defendant’s guilt or punishment. How can we fulfill that obligation, while at the same time safeguarding victim privacy against unnecessary disclosure? Filing motions for protective orders and vigorously opposing defense demands for irrelevant private information is an important part of trial practice for any prosecutor responsible for these sensitive cases. This webinar identifies categories of confidential and/or privileged victim information and records, discusses threshold requirements for defense attempts to obtain such information or for in camera review of records, and suggests pretrial and trial strategies that support the protection of victim privacy, including collaboration with allied professionals to safeguard private information.

This webinar recording should qualify prosecutors for 1 hour of continuing legal education (CLE) credits. Prosecutors are encouraged to contact their state bar association in reference to application requirements and related fees.