How have the courts treated evidence of bad faith destruction of exculpatory evidence on appeal?

California, United States of America


The following excerpt is from The People v. Youngblood, 109 Cal.Rptr.2d 776, 91 Cal.App.4th 66 (Cal. App. 2001):

On appeal, the defendant asserts she demonstrated bad faith destruction of exculpatory evidence. We disagree. At most, the officers did not preserve some trash bags and some feed bowls. As the trial court noted, these, alone, were not exculpatory. The presence of trash and feed bags and feed and water bowls does not demonstrate the defendant was not guilty of animal cruelty. Furthermore, there was no indication the officers denied their existence. Accordingly, evidence could still be presented to the jury concerning the existence of this evidence. The officers did not fail to preserve evidence "that might be expected to play a significant role in the suspect's defense." (California v. Trombetta, supra, 467 U.S. at p. 488.)

Other Questions


How does the Court of Appeal review a trial court's ruling to admit evidence over defendant's objection based on evidence section 352? (California, United States of America)
Is a defendant entitled to the benefit of the Court of Appeal's Appeal of Appeal when they are not yet convicted? (California, United States of America)
What role does the Court of Appeal have in determining the sufficiency of the evidence in the context of an appeal? (California, United States of America)
What are the findings of the Court of Appeal at the Superior Court of Justice on Beach's appeal against a finding that an autopsy photograph of the victim was unduly prejudicial and lacked probative value? (California, United States of America)
When a court of appeal has an appealable judgment or order before it, does the court have jurisdiction to affirm, reverse or modify it? (California, United States of America)
In what circumstances will the Court consider whether there is sufficient evidence to support a motion to dismiss an application for relief from the Court of Appeal? (California, United States of America)
When determining whether the evidence was sufficient to sustain a conviction on appeal, what is the role of the Court of Appeal? (California, United States of America)
How have courts treated evidence in the context of evidence in a personal injury case? (California, United States of America)
How have courts treated evidence that a student was treated radically different than others in a similar situation? (California, United States of America)
When a factual determination is challenged by an appellate court on the grounds that there is no substantial evidence to sustain it, can the appellate court substitute its deductions for those of the trial court? (California, United States of America)
X



Alexi white


"The most advanced legal research software ever built."

Trusted by top litigators from across North America.