in court cases where one side is ordered to release all documents pertaining to a certain event/subject, what stops that party from simply hiding or destroying the evidence?

Question

I understand doing so would be illegal of course but nevertheless if you are a guilty and you know it is it really going to be such a big leap for you to destroy your own incriminating evidence? I might of course be missing something or oversimplifying as well since my only knowledge of the court system is honestly from TV/movies.

In: Other

Answer 1

Im pretty sure it’s because if it is discovered that the evidence is destroyed or tampered with, it’s automatically considered a closed case. You basically dug your own grave.

While I’m sure it’s something people still risk and do, the consequences end you at the same spot that it most likely would have, HAD the evidence been submitted

Not to mention how a “smooth” going case could probably land you a lighter sentence. Destroying the evidence may likely land you the harshest sentence