Law.com Subscribers SAVE 30%
Call 855-808-4530 or email [email protected] to receive your discount on a new subscription.
The Battle over the Scope of Rule 17(c) Subpoenas<br><font size="-1"><b><i>Part One of a Two-Part Article</b></i></font>
White-collar prosecutions often turn on the paper trail. The government and the defense may agree on what business transactions took place, but disagree as to whether the defendant acted with a culpable state of mind. The often voluminous emails, memoranda, invoices, accounting entries and other business records that explain why relevant transactions took place, and give context to the defendant's actions, therefore are critical to both the prosecution's case and the defendant's ability to mount a defense.
But the playing field is not level — not even close. Whereas the government has virtually unlimited access to business records during a grand jury investigation, which it can put before the jury at trial, the only means by which a white-collar defendant can require the production of business records from a non-party is through a subpoena under Rule 17(c) of the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure. Federal courts, however, have almost uniformly given Rule 17(c) a restrictive interpretation. Under this interpretation, no documents will be produced unless the subpoena seeks documents that are not only admissible in evidence, but also specifically described in the subpoena — no small feat when the documents are not in the defense's possession.
Rule 17(c) Subpoenas
This premium content is locked for Entertainment Law & Finance subscribers only
ENJOY UNLIMITED ACCESS TO THE SINGLE SOURCE OF OBJECTIVE LEGAL ANALYSIS, PRACTICAL INSIGHTS, AND NEWS IN ENTERTAINMENT LAW.
- Stay current on the latest information, rulings, regulations, and trends
- Includes practical, must-have information on copyrights, royalties, AI, and more
- Tap into expert guidance from top entertainment lawyers and experts
Already a have an account? Sign In Now Log In Now
For enterprise-wide or corporate acess, please contact Customer Service at [email protected] or 877-256-2473
Major Differences In UK, U.S. Copyright Laws
This article highlights how copyright law in the United Kingdom differs from U.S. copyright law, and points out differences that may be crucial to entertainment and media businesses familiar with U.S law that are interested in operating in the United Kingdom or under UK law. The article also briefly addresses contrasts in UK and U.S. trademark law.
Strategy vs. Tactics: Two Sides of a Difficult Coin
With each successive large-scale cyber attack, it is slowly becoming clear that ransomware attacks are targeting the critical infrastructure of the most powerful country on the planet. Understanding the strategy, and tactics of our opponents, as well as the strategy and the tactics we implement as a response are vital to victory.
The Article 8 Opt In
The Article 8 opt-in election adds an additional layer of complexity to the already labyrinthine rules governing perfection of security interests under the UCC. A lender that is unaware of the nuances created by the opt in (may find its security interest vulnerable to being primed by another party that has taken steps to perfect in a superior manner under the circumstances.
Removing Restrictive Covenants In New York
In Rockwell v. Despart, the New York Supreme Court, Third Department, recently revisited a recurring question: When may a landowner seek judicial removal of a covenant restricting use of her land?