Bill > SB163

This bill modifies several aspects of Georgia's criminal procedure, primarily focusing on discovery processes and protections for law enforcement. Key provisions include requiring the state or prosecuting attorney to mail or email copies of indictments and accusations to defendants and their attorneys within five days of filing, unless an arraignment is scheduled sooner. It also revises the timelines for filing pretrial motions, allowing for longer periods after the state has complied with its discovery obligations, especially in felony cases where the defendant opts into broader discovery rules. The bill expands the definition of "statement of a witness" to include recordings from body-worn or in-vehicle cameras and forensic interviews, and it clarifies that "written scientific reports" encompass data from various forensic analyses. Furthermore, it extends the application of discovery rules to misdemeanor cases if both the state and the defendant agree in writing, and it mandates more detailed disclosures from both the state and the defense regarding expert witnesses, including their opinions, bases, supporting data, qualifications, and past testimony. The bill also updates procedures for making a registered elector's address confidential, specifically including law enforcement officers as eligible for this protection, and revises how subpoenas can be served, particularly for law enforcement units and child advocacy centers. Finally, it corrects a cross-reference related to the Division of Forensic Sciences' responsibilities in facilitating independent testing of evidence.