Bill > SB94

This bill, concerning criminal procedure in Georgia, aims to enhance the accuracy of witness identifications by requiring law enforcement agencies to adopt written policies for conducting identification procedures like live lineups (where a suspect and others, called "fillers," are shown in person), photo lineups (where photographs are used), and showups (where a witness is shown only one suspect). These policies, which must be in place by July 1, 2016, will mandate specific practices such as having an individual who doesn't know the suspect's identity conduct the lineup, informing the witness that the perpetrator may or may not be present, ensuring fillers generally match the witness's description, using a minimum number of fillers (four for live lineups, five for photo lineups), and documenting the witness's confidence level in their identification. While courts can consider non-compliance with these new rules when a challenge to an identification is made, it will not automatically prevent the identification evidence from being used. The bill also makes minor amendments to definitions related to privacy and surveillance, and clarifies rules around search warrants and the seizure of evidence.