State in the Interest of N.H.(076316)

Thirty years ago, this Court took note of the State’s custom to “open its file” in juvenile cases and provide discovery to juveniles even though no court rule addressed the topic. See State In Interest of K.A.W., 104 N.J. 112, 121, 515 A.2d 1217 (1986). In this ease, the State seeks to proceed against a juvenile as an adult but has provided only partial discovery of the materials in its possession before the waiver hearing. We therefore face a legal question of first impression: whether a juvenile is entitled to full discovery when the State seeks to waive jurisdiction and transfer a case…