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Record custodial interrogations? Bill divides prosecutors, police chiefs and innocence advocates
Summary
Senate Bill 261 would require recording of custodial interrogations in specified detention settings; supporters said recordings protect suspects and prosecutors and reduce the risk of false confessions, while police chiefs and prosecutors raised concerns about scope, logistics and funding.
Senator Tim McHugh introduced Senate Bill 261, which would require recording custodial interrogations that occur in specified "places of detention," with a minimum requirement of audio recording and video where available. "A clear, indisputable record of an interrogation protects everyone," McHugh said, telling the committee that other states have adopted similar requirements and that recordings can preserve exact phrasing and tone.
Proponents included the Innocence Project and the New England Innocence Project, which said recordings reduce wrongful convictions and help courts evaluate vulnerability to false confession. "Recording ensures that an individual's rights are protected during the interrogation," Winnie Yee of…
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