No. 25-6208

Matthew Peckham v. Rhode Island

Lower Court: Rhode Island
Docketed: 2025-11-24
Status: Pending
Type: IFP
Response RequestedResponse WaivedIFP
Tags: bias-evidence cross-examination fourteenth-amendment juvenile-records sixth-amendment witness-impeachment
Latest Conference: 2025-12-12
Question Presented (from Petition)

1. Whether the Sixth and Fourteenth Amendments permit a state court to bar all cross-examination of a key prosecution witness concerning her own juvenile arrest and case dismissal—evidence directly bearing on bias and motive to fabricate—on the ground that the records are sealed under a state confidentiality statute.

2. Whether such a categorical denial of bias impeachment can ever be deemed harmless beyond a reasonable doubt under Chapman v. California, 386 U.S. 18 (1967), when the witness is central to the prosecution's case and the State's proof of guilt turns on credibility.

Question Presented (AI Summary)

Whether the Sixth and Fourteenth Amendments permit a state court to bar cross-examination of a prosecution witness about sealed juvenile records and whether such a denial of bias impeachment can be deemed harmless

Docket Entries

2026-02-06
Brief of Rhode Island in opposition submitted.
2026-02-06
Brief of respondent Rhode Island in opposition filed.
2025-12-15
Motion to extend the time to file a response is granted and the time is extended to and including February 6, 2026.
2025-12-12
Motion of Rhode Island for an extension of time submitted.
2025-12-12
Motion to extend the time to file a response from January 7, 2026 to February 6, 2026, submitted to The Clerk.
2025-12-08
Response Requested. (Due January 7, 2026)
2025-11-26
DISTRIBUTED for Conference of 12/12/2025.
2025-11-24
Waiver of State of Rhode Island of right to respond submitted.
2025-11-24
Waiver of right of respondent State of Rhode Island to respond filed.
2025-11-24
Waiver of right of respondent Rhode Island to respond filed.
2025-10-24
Petition for a writ of certiorari and motion for leave to proceed in forma pauperis filed. (Response due December 24, 2025)

Attorneys

Matthew Peckham
George Joseph WestGeorge J. West & Addociates, Petitioner
State of Rhode Island
Christopher Robinson BushRhode Island Office of the Attorney General, Respondent