Discovery allows you to get information and evidence from the other party or other persons you can use in your lawsuit.
The rule acknowledges that victims cannot sue for damages they are unaware of, and it adjusts the legal timeline ingly. This rule, however, is not without its limits. New York law specifies certain conditions under which the discovery rule applies, and understanding these specifics is crucial.
Generally, the prosecution must provide discovery within a set period after the defense's formal request, often ranging from a few weeks to several months. Evidence should be available to the defense either at the preliminary hearing or after the accused has been indicted by a grand jury.
Timeframe for discovery If you are the plaintiff, you can begin discovery 10 days after you serve the first papers in the case or anytime after the defendant files a response. If you are the defendant, you may begin discovery as soon as the case is filed.
After a summons with notice is served, the defendant will demand that the plaintiff serve a complaint. The plaintiff must then have the complaint served within 20 days after being served with the demand, or the case may be dismissed.
(b) Document Demand: As the name indicates, this is a written demand in which one party demands that the other produce certain documents for inspection and copying. (This device is also referred to as a notice of discovery and inspection). The demand must define the items sought with reasonable particularity.
One of the tools that a knowledgeable criminal defense attorney will use to defend your rights is the pre-trial discovery process when the defense can file a “Demand for Discovery and Inspection” requesting that the prosecution share its evidence with the defense. This can include: Witness lists.
You have 30 days to serve a written response to document requests, but you may ask the other party for more time. If the other party declines, you may write to the judge to ask for an extension of time.
The definition of “discovery” in law is the exchange of legal information and known facts of a case.
Parties usually send their discovery requests and responses to the other party electronically, by email. But, parties may also send or respond to discovery requests by U.S. mail or a parcel service. Discovery requests and responses should not be sent to the Administrative Judge, except to support a motion.