Bill > SB0484

This bill amends Section 483a of the Michigan Penal Code to prohibit and provide penalties for tampering with evidence by law enforcement officers with specific intent. The key provisions include: 1. Prohibiting law enforcement officers from knowingly and intentionally removing, altering, concealing, destroying, or otherwise tampering with evidence, including digital images or video/audio recordings from body-worn cameras, to be offered in a present or future official proceeding. Violations are punishable as felonies, with harsher penalties for more serious crimes. 2. Prohibiting law enforcement officers from knowingly and intentionally failing to activate a body-worn camera used for law enforcement purposes, if such failure interferes with a present or future official proceeding or an internal law enforcement investigation. Violations are punishable as misdemeanors. 3. Providing an affirmative defense if the defendant's sole intention was to encourage, induce, or cause another person to provide a truthful statement or evidence. 4. Exempting certain lawful conduct by attorneys and others with legal privileges from certain provisions of the law. 5. Allowing for consecutive sentencing for violations of this law and other related crimes. The bill aims to enhance accountability and transparency in law enforcement by prohibiting the tampering or concealment of evidence, including body-worn camera footage, and establishing penalties for such actions.