eLaws of Florida

  SECTION 92.70. Eyewitness identification.


Latest version.
  • 1(1) 2SHORT TITLE.4-5This section may be cited as the “Eyewitness Identification Reform Act.”
    16(2) 17DEFINITIONS.18-19As used in this section, the term:
    26(a) 27“Eyewitness” means a person whose identification by sight of another person may be relevant in a criminal proceeding.
    45(b) 46“Independent administrator” means a person who is not participating in the investigation of a criminal offense and is unaware of which person in the lineup is the suspect.
    74(c) 75“Lineup” means a photo lineup or live lineup.
    83(d) 84“Lineup administrator” means the person who conducts a lineup.
    93(e) 94“Live lineup” means a procedure in which a group of people is displayed to an eyewitness for the purpose of determining if the eyewitness can identify the perpetrator of a crime.
    125(f) 126“Photo lineup” means a procedure in which an array of photographs is displayed to an eyewitness for the purpose of determining if the eyewitness can identify the perpetrator of a crime.
    157(3) 158EYEWITNESS IDENTIFICATION PROCEDURES.161-162A lineup conducted in this state by a state, county, municipal, or other law enforcement agency must meet all of the following requirements:
    185(a) 186The lineup must be conducted by an independent administrator. However, in lieu of using an independent administrator, a law enforcement agency may conduct a photo lineup eyewitness identification procedure using an alternative method specified in subparagraph 1., subparagraph 2., or subparagraph 3. Any alternative method must be carefully structured to achieve neutral administration and to prevent the lineup administrator from knowing which photograph is being presented to the eyewitness during the identification procedure. Alternative methods may include any of the following:
    2671. 268An automated computer program that can automatically administer the photo lineup directly to an eyewitness and prevent the lineup administrator from seeing which photograph the eyewitness is viewing until after the procedure is completed.
    3022. 303A procedure in which photographs are placed in folders, randomly numbered, and shuffled and then presented to an eyewitness such that the lineup administrator cannot see or track which photograph is being presented to the eyewitness until after the procedure is completed.
    3453. 346Any other procedure that achieves neutral administration and prevents the lineup administrator from knowing which photograph is being presented to the eyewitness during the identification procedure.
    372(b) 373Before a lineup, the eyewitness must be instructed that:
    3821. 383The perpetrator might or might not be in the lineup;
    3932. 394The lineup administrator does not know the suspect’s identity, except that this instruction need not be given when a specified and approved alternative method of neutral administration is used;
    4233. 424The eyewitness should not feel compelled to make an identification;
    4344. 435It is as important to exclude innocent persons as it is to identify the perpetrator; and
    4515. 452The investigation will continue with or without an identification.

    461The eyewitness shall acknowledge, in writing, having received a copy of the lineup instructions. If the eyewitness refuses to sign a document acknowledging receipt of the instructions, the lineup administrator must document the refusal of the eyewitness to sign a document acknowledging receipt of the instructions, and the lineup administrator must sign the acknowledgment document himself or herself.

    519(4) 520REMEDIES.521-522All of the following remedies are available as consequences of compliance or noncompliance with any requirement of this section:
    541(a)1. 542A failure on the part of a person to comply with any requirement of this section shall be considered by the court when adjudicating motions to suppress eyewitness identification.
    5712. 572A failure on the part of a person to comply with any requirement of this section is admissible in support of a claim of eyewitness misidentification, as long as such evidence is otherwise admissible.
    606(b) 607If evidence of compliance or noncompliance with any requirement of this section is presented at trial, the jury shall be instructed that the jury may consider credible evidence of compliance or noncompliance to determine the reliability of eyewitness identifications.
    646(5) 647EDUCATION AND TRAINING.650-651The Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commission, in consultation with the Department of Law Enforcement, shall create educational materials and provide training programs on how to conduct lineups in compliance with this section.
History.-s. 1, ch. 2017-91.

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