Which mandates disclosure of witness statements?

• A. Rule 16
• B. Jencks Act
• C. Brady v. Maryland
• D. Indictment

Answer: (B)

Jencks Act governs the disclosure of witness statements. After a government witness has testified, the prosecution must turn over any of that witness’s prior written or recorded statements that relate to the subject matter of the testimony and are in the government's possession. This enables the defense to cross-examine effectively by comparing the witness’s prior statements with their trial testimony. While Rule 16 handles pretrial discovery of statements the government plans to use, and Brady v. Maryland concerns exculpatory material, the Jencks Act specifically codifies the requirement to disclose witness statements after testimony, making it the correct choice for this scenario. Indictment, the charging document, isn’t about witness statements.