In Re Francisco M.

Opinion

WILLHITE, J. *

The law has long recognized that “[t]he duty to disclose knowledge of crime rests upon all citizens. It is so vital that one known to be innocent may be detained, in the absence of bail, as a material witness.” (Stein v. New York (1953) 346 U.S. 156, 184 [73 S.Ct. 1077, 1092, 97 L.Ed. 1522], fn. omitted; see Barry v. United States ex rel. Cunningham (1929) 279 U.S. 597, 616-618 [49 S.Ct. 452, 456-457, 73 L.Ed. 867].) In California, as applicable to witnesses deemed material for trial, this principle is embodied in Penal Code section 1332. Under that section, on an…