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Rule 4.10 – Material Witness

May 14, 2021 | Criminal Procedure, Washington

(a) Warrant. On motion of the prosecuting attorney or the defendant, the court may issue a warrant, subject to reasonable bail, for the arrest of a material witness. The warrant shall issue only on a showing, by affidavit or on the record in open court, that the testimony of the witness is material and that

(1) The witness has refused to submit to a deposition ordered by the court pursuant to rule 4.6; or
(2) The witness has refused to obey a lawfully issued subpoena; or
(3) It may become impracticable to secure the presence of the witness by subpoena.

Unless otherwise ordered by the court, the warrant shall be executed and returned as in rule 2.2.

(b) Hearing. After the arrest of the witness, the court shall hold a hearing no later than the next judicial day after the witness is present in the county from which the warrant issued. The witness shall be entitled to be represented by a lawyer. The court shall appoint a lawyer for an indigent witness if it is required to protect the rights of the witness.
(c) Release/Detention. Upon a determination that the testimony of the witness is material and that one of the conditions set forth in section (a) exists, the court shall set conditions for release of the witness pursuant to rule 3.2. A material witness shall be released unless the court determines that the testimony of such witness cannot be secured adequately by deposition and that further detention is necessary to prevent a failure of justice. Release of a material witness may be delayed for a reasonable period of time until the deposition of the witness can be taken pursuant to rule 4.6.

Wash. Sup. Ct. Crim. R. 4.10