Discovery Process

District Court

  1. As always, the SAO will provide you with open file discovery prior to trial. In court, the SAO will provide you with access to the discovery and an opportunity to copy it if possible and if so desired.
  2. If you wish to review discovery materials prior to the court date, arrangements can be made by calling the Discovery Help Desk on 240-777-7305. The SAO will provide for defendants and their attorneys a place to review their discovery together in confidential settings at the SAO upon request.
  3. If you wish to obtain copies of discovery materials, the SAO discovery unit can process that request if made 10 calendar days prior to the trial date. Of course, every effort will be made to process requests made after that, but priority must be given to timely requests.
  4. If there is additional discovery such as photos, audio, or visual recordings, or other that you request in your motion, the SAO will compile those materials and notify you of the availability of the materials for viewing at SAO free of charge or copying at an additional cost.
  5. The SAO Discovery Unit will process DWI discovery requests more expeditiously to accommodate MVA hearing dates whenever possible.
  6. The SAO has designated a staff member each day to answer general phone inquiries regarding district court discovery requests. Contact the main number (240-777-7300) and ask for “the discovery aide of the day”.

Juvenile and Circuit Court

  1. As always, the SAO will provide you with open file discovery prior to trial.
  2. If you wish to review discovery materials rather than be provided copies, arrangements can be made by contacting the assigned Assistant State’s Attorney
  3. If there is additional discovery such as photos, audio, or visual recordings, or other that you request in your motion, the SAO will compile those materials and notify you of the availability of the materials for viewing at SAO free of charge or copying at an additional cost.

As a result of input from the defense attorneys and the Criminal Law Section of the Montgomery County Bar Association, the Montgomery County State’s Attorney’s Office periodically reviews its district.

6/2018 update