The original instrument was prepared by Alden A. Clement, Jr. The following
digest, which does not constitute a part of the legislative instrument, was prepared
by Dawn Romero Watson.
DIGEST
Walsworth (SB 571)
Present law requires the Louisiana Bureau of Criminal Identification and Information to make
available to certain entities any information contained in the criminal history record and
identification files of the bureau.
Proposed law retains present law and further requires the bureau to make available any
information contained in the criminal history record and identification files of the bureau to
investigative units of a district public defender office.
Present law provides that upon a written motion of the defendant, the court shall order the
district attorney (or the law enforcement agency) to disclose to the defendant, the record of
arrests and convictions of the defendant, any codefendant, and any witness the state calls or
intends to call at trial. Also, requires the disclosure to the defendant and inducements offered by
the district attorney (or law enforcement officer on behalf of the district attorney) to any state
witness.
Proposed law retains present law.
Present law provides that the disclosure shall be set by the court, but shall not be required prior to
the commencement of trial, or for any rebuttal witness, such disclosure shall be immediately
prior to the witness being sworn in.
Proposed law changes the timing of the disclosure from not prior to the commencement of trial to
no later than 30 days prior to commencement of trial. Proposed law retains present law as to the
timing of disclosure for rebuttal witnesses.
Effective August 1, 2014.
(Amends C.Cr.P. Art. 717(C) and R.S. 15:587(A)(1)(a))
Summary of Amendments Adopted by Senate
Committee Amendments Proposed by Senate Committee on Judiciary B to the original
bill
1. Adds provisions regarding the timing of the disclosure to a defendant of certain
records of arrests and convictions and any inducements.