#15 · 2026-08-21 · Case
Brady v. Maryland
The Supreme Court held that suppression of requested, material favorable evidence violates due process regardless of prosecution good faith. In this case, the state court granted a new trial on punishment, not guilt; later decisions developed the materiality test and removed a request prerequisite.
Rule to remember
Brady v. Maryland held that suppression of material evidence favorable to the accused violated due process, whether it related to guilt or punishment and regardless of prosecution good faith.
Key elements and checks
- The prosecution withheld favorable evidence in the criminal case.
- The evidence was material to guilt or punishment under the governing standard.
- The suppression deprived the defendant of due process; later cases refined the rule.
In the source’s words
“irrespective of the good faith or bad faith of the prosecution”
Brady v. Maryland, 373 U.S. 83 (1963)
The original opinion described evidence withheld upon request; subsequent Supreme Court decisions made clear the disclosure duty is not limited to requested material and refined materiality.