PRIA, Government Policy, Made Personal

Summary

A judge may order the arrest of someone when an affidavit says their testimony is needed and it may be impractical to get them by subpoena. The judge then handles that person under section 3142. A witness cannot be kept just because they cannot meet release conditions if a deposition will secure the testimony and more detention is not needed. Release can be delayed for a reasonable time so the deposition can be taken under the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure.

Title 18, §3144

Crimes and Criminal Procedure, Source: USLM XML via OLRC

If it appears from an affidavit filed by a party that the testimony of a person is material in a criminal proceeding, and if it is shown that it may become impracticable to secure the presence of the person by subpoena, a judicial officer may order the arrest of the person and treat the person in accordance with the provisions of section 3142 of this title. No material witness may be detained because of inability to comply with any condition of release if the testimony of such witness can adequately be secured by deposition, and if further detention is not necessary to prevent a failure of justice. Release of a material witness may be delayed for a reasonable period of time until the deposition of the witness can be taken pursuant to the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure.

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Editorial Notes

References in Text

The Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure, referred to in text, are set out in the Appendix to this title.

Prior Provisions

A prior section 3144, act June 25, 1948, ch. 645, 62 Stat. 821, related to cases removed from State courts, prior to repeal in the revision of this chapter by section 203(a) of Pub. L. 98–473.

Amendments

1986—Pub. L. 99–646 substituted “subpoena” for “subpena” and inserted “of this title”.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date

of 1986 AmendmentAmendment by Pub. L. 99–646 effective 30 days after Nov. 10, 1986, see section 55(j) of Pub. L. 99–646, set out as a note under section 3141 of this title.

§3144 Release or Detention of a Material Witness