An officer's field notes are subject to discovery under Idaho Criminal Rule 16.

• A. True
• B. False
• C. Sometimes
• D. Never

Answer: (A)

Under Idaho Criminal Rule 16, the state must disclose to the defense materials that may be used at trial and that are in the possession, custody, or control of the state. Field notes kept by an officer during the investigation are part of the investigative record and reveal what the officer observed, thought, and did as part of building the case. Because these notes are created in the course of investigating the charges and can be relevant to testimony, corroboration, or impeachment, they fall within the kind of material that must be disclosed, subject to any proper protections. There can be legitimate limits, such as redacting or sheltering portions that reveal the officer’s mental impressions or work product, but the existence and content of the field notes themselves are generally subject to discovery. So, the statement is true.