Committee approves bill to require jails to give defendants private access to digital evidence
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Summary
SB 194 would require jails to provide incarcerated defendants access to a private space and technology to review discovery materials such as body‑worn camera footage; the committee favorably recommended the bill without recorded opposition.
The Senate Judiciary Committee voted to favorably recommend Senate Bill 194, which requires sheriffs to provide incarcerated defendants a private space and the technology needed to review digital discovery materials used against them in pending criminal matters.
Sponsor Senator Chris Pitcher told the committee the bill is intended to help defendants understand the charges and make informed decisions about how to proceed in their cases by allowing access to body camera or surveillance footage in a private review setting. “A defendant ought to be able to prepare for their own defense,” Pitcher said.
The sponsor said the requirement is limited to access to review materials and does not provide broader counsel or case‑related services; he said the bill would improve defendants’ ability to participate meaningfully in their defense. No public testimony opposed the bill at the committee hearing. The committee voted to favorably recommend SB 194; committee members recorded no objections during the hearing.
The bill moves to the Senate with a favorable committee recommendation for further action and floor consideration.