People v. Rinaldi

The question presented here involves the right of the prosecution to compel defendants, under the compulsion of contempt, to furnish samples of their handwriting for comparison with certain signatures on affidavits submitted to the Appellate Division.

Each of the defendants has been indicted by a Grand Jury of a violation of section 215.40 of the Penal Law which is entitled: Tampering with physical evidence. In substance, it is claimed that each with intent that it be used or introduced in an official proceeding or a prospective official proceeding, he knowingly makes, devises or prepares…