BILL REQ. #:  H-3908.2 

Read first time 01/21/2004.   Referred to Committee on Judiciary.

     AN ACT Relating to a recording of custodial interrogations pilot project; adding a new section to chapter 43.101 RCW; and providing an expiration date.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   A new section is added to chapter 43.101 RCW to read as follows:
     (1) The recording of custodial interrogations pilot project is created. The purpose of the pilot project is to study the use of audio and video recording of interrogations of arrested persons as a means to ensure the most accurate gathering of evidence for use in criminal proceedings, increase accountability and credibility of all participants in the criminal justice system, and potentially reduce or avoid costs to the criminal justice system.
     (2) The criminal justice training commission shall administer the pilot project. The criminal justice training commission shall fund the purchase of digital audio and digital video recording equipment for use in the pilot project, establish procedures for the preservation of recordings and the methods for making recordings available to defendants, and develop a training program and provide training on the methods and technical aspects of conducting recordings of interrogations to law enforcement officers from agencies participating in the pilot project. In administering the pilot project and developing the training program, the criminal justice training commission shall consult with other jurisdictions within the state, or in other states, that have experience with recording of law enforcement interrogations.
     (3) The commission shall select for the pilot project no more than three law enforcement agencies that agree to participate in the pilot project. To the extent possible, the commission shall select a police department in a small jurisdiction, a police department in a medium or large jurisdiction, and a county sheriff's office.
     (4) The criminal justice training commission shall submit a report on the results of the pilot project to the legislature by December 1, 2007. The report shall include information on how often interrogations of arrested persons were recorded, why any unrecorded interrogations were not recorded, how many of the arrested persons were criminally charged, how many criminal charges ended in a guilty plea, the trial outcomes of persons whose interrogations were recorded and those whose interrogations were not recorded, how many recorded interrogations were subject to a suppression hearing and were suppressed as a result of the suppression hearing, and cost estimates on implementation and ongoing expenses of the pilot project.
     (5) This section expires July 1, 2008.