Kyles v. Whitley
A plain-English summary from Criminal Defense Resources™, a free resource for pro per/pro se defendants and their families.
General educational information, not legal advice. Not a law firm. This page describes what a court decided in general terms. It does not tell you what to do in any case.
- Court
- U.S. Supreme Court
- Decided
- Citation
- 514 U.S. 419 (1995)
What did the court decide?
The Court held that whether suppressed evidence is "material" depends on the combined effect of all the withheld evidence, not each item alone. The prosecutor has a duty to learn of favorable evidence known to others acting for the government, including the police.
Why does it matter?
Evidence known to police can count as known to the prosecution, and small items can add up.
Where can I read the full opinion?
Read the full opinion on Cornell Law School LII →
Always read the full opinion and check whether later cases have limited or changed it. A summary can leave out important details.
Related rulings
General educational information, not legal advice. Not a law firm.