APPELLATE COURTS IN CALIFORNIA ARE DETERMINING THE DEFENDANT'S RIGHT IN A CRIMINAL CASE TO DISCOVER INFORMATION FROM THE PROSECUTOR FORMALLY OR INFORMALLY. INFORMAL DISCOVERY HAS DEVELOPED PRIMARILY AS A RESULT OF FORMAL DISCOVERY WHICH WILL BE ORDERED BY COURTS UPON REQUEST. FORMAL DISCOVERY AS, SOUGHT IN A MOTION, IS AIMED EITHER AT SECURING INFORMATION FROM THE PROSECUTOR'S FILE OR SECURING INFORMATION WHICH ONLY THE PROSECUTOR CAN OBTAIN. HEARING OF FORMAL MOTIONS OF DISCOVERY REQUIRES LITTLE COURT TIME, INCLUDES ANY INFORMATION THAT MIGHT LEAD TO USABLE EVIDENCE, AND HAS TWO PARTS; THE SUFFICIENCY OF THE MOTION AND AFFIDAVIT AND DETERMINATION BY THE COURT IF REQUESTED DISCOVERY ITEMS ARE RELEVANT. THE ARTICLE OUTLINES SEVERAL SPECIALIZED TYPES OF DISCOVERY: MOTIONS TO DISCOVER THE CONFIDENTIAL INFORMER'S IDENTITY, COMPLAINTS ABOUT AN OFFICER'S USE OF EXCESSIVE FORCE OR BIAS, AND EVIDENCE OF DISCRIMINATORY LAW ENFORCEMENT AGAINST THE DEFENDANT IN THE PENDING CASE. THE ARTICLE CONCLUDES THAT BOTH PROSECUTORS AND DEFENSE ATTORNEYS AS WELL AS COURTS BELIEVE FULL DISCOVERY IS BENEFICIAL IN ASCERTAINING THE TRUTH. (MJW)