darden hearing
Darden hearing. Criminal procedure. An ex parte proceeding to determine whether disclosure of an informer’s identity is pertinent to establishing probable cause when there is otherwise insufficient evidence to establish probable cause apart from the arresting officer’s testimony about an informer’s communications. • The defense attorney may be excluded from the hearing but can usu. submit questions to be used by the judge in the examination. People v. Darden, 313 N.E.2d 49 (N.Y. 1974). [Cases: Criminal Law 627.10. C.J.S. Criminal Law §§ 533–540.]