Fingerprinting bill draws split testimony over records and immigrant consequences

Senate Bill 52-23 would do two things: (1) authorize judges at arraignment or preliminary hearing for gross misdemeanors to ensure a defendant has been fingerprinted and that the arrest-and-fingerprint form has been transmitted to the Washington State Patrol identification unit; and (2) authorize chief law-enforcement officers to photograph and record fingerprints of adults who are cited and released or issued a summons rather than arrested.

Captain Dion Glover of the Washington State Patrol testified the bill responds to gaps in current practice that leave court records incomplete when fingerprints are not captured during an arrest. “This limited information hinders the court's ability to maintain…necessary information for fingerprints for criminal cases,” Glover said, adding that improved fingerprint capture helps ensure the correct person is associated with a record.

Supporters said…