Giglio v. United States
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
- 405 U.S. 150 (1972)
What did the court decide?
The Court held that the prosecution's duty to disclose includes evidence that affects a key witness's credibility, such as a promise of leniency in exchange for testimony. A promise made by one prosecutor is charged to the whole prosecutor's office.
Why does it matter?
"Giglio material" means information that could be used to question whether a government witness is believable.
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.