RULES OF COURT
| IN THE MATTER OF THE ADOPTION OF THE AMENDMENTS TO RPC 3.8-SPECIAL RESPONSIBILITIES OF A PROSECUTOR | ) ) ) ) |
ORDER NO. 25700-A-985 |
Now, therefore, it is hereby
ORDERED:
(a) That the amendments as shown below are adopted.
(b) That the amendments will be published in the Washington Reports and will become effective upon publication.
DATED at Olympia, Washington this 3rd day of November, 2011.
| Madsen, C.J. |
|
| C. Johnson, J. |
Fairhurst, J. |
| Alexander, J. |
|
| Chambers, J. |
|
| |
Wiggins, J. |
RULE 3.8 SPECIAL RESPONSIBILITIES OF A PROSECUTOR
(a) - (f) [Unchanged.]
(g) when a prosecutor knows of new, credible and material evidence creating a reasonable likelihood that a convicted defendant is innocent of the offense of which the defendant was convicted, the prosecutor shall:
(1) promptly disclose that evidence to an appropriate court or authority, and
(2) if the conviction was obtained in the prosecutor's jurisdiction,
(A) promptly disclose that evidence to the defendant unless a court authorizes delay, and
(B) make reasonable efforts to inquire into the matter, or make reasonable efforts to cause the appropriate law enforcement agency to undertake an investigation into the matter.
(g) (h) [Reserved.]
(i) A prosecutor's independent judgment, made in good faith, that the evidence is not of such nature as to trigger the obligations of paragraph (g) of this Rule, though subsequently determined to have been erroneous, does not constitute a violation of this Rule.
Comment
[1] [Washington revision.] A prosecutor has the
responsibility of a minister of justice and not simply that of
an advocate. This responsibility carries with it specific
obligations to see that the defendant is accorded procedural
justice and that guilt is decided upon the basis of sufficient
evidence. Precisely how far the prosecutor is required to go
in this direction The extent of mandated remedial action is a
matter of debate and varies in different jurisdictions. Many
jurisdictions have adopted the ABA Standards of Criminal
Justice Relating to the Prosecution Function, which in turn
are the product of prolonged and careful deliberation by
lawyers experienced in both criminal prosecution and defense.
Competent representation of the government may require a
prosecutor to undertake some procedural and remedial measures
as a matter of obligation. Applicable law may require other
measures by the prosecutor and knowing disregard of those
obligations or a systematic abuse of prosecutorial discretion
could constitute a violation of Rule 8.4.
[2] - [6] [Unchanged.]
Additional Washington Comments (7 - 9)
[7] [Washington revision.] When a prosecutor knows of new, credible and material evidence creating a reasonable likelihood that a person outside the prosecutor's jurisdiction was convicted of a crime that the person is innocent of committing, paragraph (g) requires prompt disclosure to the court or other appropriate authority, such as the chief prosecutor of the jurisdiction where the conviction occurred. If the conviction was obtained in the prosecutor's jurisdiction, paragraph (g) requires the prosecutor to make reasonable efforts to inquire into the matter to determine whether the defendant is in fact innocent, or make reasonable efforts to cause the appropriate law enforcement agency to undertake an investigation into the matter.
[8] [Reserved.]
[9] [Reserved. Comment [9] to Model Rule 3.8 is codified, with minor revisions, as paragraph (i).]
Reviser's note: The brackets and enclosed material in the text of the above section occurred in the copy filed by the agency and appear in the Register pursuant to the requirements of RCW 34.08.040.
Reviser's note: The typographical error in the above material occurred in the copy filed by the State Supreme Court and appears in the Register pursuant to the requirements of RCW 34.08.040.