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Section 54-86a – Certain evidence to be made available to defendant

May 11, 2021 | Connecticut, Criminal Procedure

(a) Upon motion of a defendant at any time after the filing of the indictment or information, and upon a showing that the items sought may be material to the preparation of his defense and that the request is reasonable, the court shall order the attorney for the state to permit the defendant to inspect and copy or photograph any relevant (1) written or recorded statements, admissions or confessions made by the defendant; (2) books, papers, documents or tangible objects obtained from or belonging to the defendant or obtained from others by seizure or process; (3) copies of records of any physical or mental examinations of the defendant; and (4) records of prior convictions of the defendant, or copies thereof, within the possession, custody or control of the state, the existence of which is known to the attorney for the state or to the defendant.
(b) An order of the court granting relief under subsection (a) of this section shall specify the time, place and manner of making the discovery and inspection permitted and may prescribe such terms and conditions as are just.
(c) A motion under subsection (a) of this section may be made only in a criminal case and shall include all relief sought under subsection (a) of this section. A subsequent motion may be made only upon a showing of cause why such motion would be in the interest of justice.
(d) Prior to the arraignment of any arrested person before the court to determine the existence of probable cause to believe such person committed the offense charged or to determine the conditions of such person’s release pursuant to section 54-64a, the attorney for the state shall provide the arrested person or his counsel with a copy of any affidavit or report submitted to the court for the purpose of making such determination; except that the court may, upon motion of the attorney for the state and for good cause shown, limit the disclosure of any such affidavit or report, or portion thereof.

Conn. Gen. Stat. ยง 54-86a

(1967, P.A. 706, S. 1, 2, 3; P.A. 78-289, S. 2; 78-290, S. 2; P.A. 91-242.)

Cited. 158 C. 275; 159 C. 389. Examination in camera used to determine compliance. 166 C. 593. Cited. 187 Conn. 292; 190 C. 20; 200 Conn. 323; 229 Conn. 716. Cited. 34 Conn.App. 58; judgment reversed, see 232 Conn. 537. Section does not specifically require disclosure of name and address of the informant in trial of defendant charged with sale of marijuana. 28 CS 331. Cited. 33 Conn.Supp. 599; 42 CS 291. Motion for further bill of particulars after plea of not guilty denied as untimely; preliminary motions in criminal case should be filed prior to plea unless grounds are not then known. 5 Conn. Cir. Ct. 269. Unless prosecutor is under some constitutional obligation, he need not allow defense complete and unqualified access to state’s files. 6 Conn. Cir. Ct. 437. Subsec. (a): Subdiv. (1): Indiscriminate, wholesale, and blanket demands for “exculpatory” material under motion of discovery is not permissible; must be shown that evidence would have tendency to clear defendant. 29 CS 86.