§ 16-3-601 — Recording custodial interrogations - definitions

(1) On and after
July 1, 2017, except as provided for in subsection (2) of this section, when a peace
officer reasonably believes he or she is investigating a class 1 or class 2 felony or a
felony sexual assault described in section 18-3-402, 18-3-404, 18-3-405, or 18-3-405.5, C.R.S., the peace officer shall electronically record a custodial interrogation
occurring in a permanent detention facility of any person suspected of such an
offense.

(2) Subsection (1) of this section does not apply if:

(a) The defendant requests the interrogation not be recorded, as long as this
request is preserved by electronic recording or in writing;

(b) The recording equipment fails;

(c) Recording equipment is unavailable, either through damage or
extraordinary circumstances;

(d) Exigent circumstances relating to public safety prevent the preservation
by electronic recording; or

(e) The interrogation is conducted outside the state of Colorado.

(3) Nothing in this section prevents a court from admitting a statement made
in a custodial interrogation in a permanent detention facility as rebuttal or
impeachment testimony of the defendant.

(4) If a law enforcement agency does not make an electronic recording of
the custodial interrogation as required by this section, the court may still admit
evidence from the interrogation. If the prosecution, when offering the evidence
from the interrogation, establishes by a preponderance of the evidence that one of
the exceptions identified in subsection (2) of this section applies or the
circumstances described in subsection (3) of this section apply, the court may
admit the evidence without a cautionary instruction. If the prosecution does not
meet this burden of proof, the court shall provide a cautionary instruction to the
jury regarding the failure to record the interrogation after admitting the evidence.
The court shall instruct the jury that the failure to record the interrogation is a
violation of the law enforcement agency's policy and state law and that the
violation may be considered by the jury in determining the weight that is given to
any statement of the defendant in violation of this policy in the course of the jury's
deliberations.

(5) By July 1, 2017, all law enforcement agencies shall have available
equipment for making electronic recordings and have in place policies and
procedures for the preservation of custodial interrogations consistent with this
section.

(6) For the purposes of this section, the following definitions apply:

(a) Custodial interrogation means any interrogation of a person while such
person is in custody.

(b) Custody means restraint on a person's freedom such that a reasonable
person would believe he or she is in police custody to the degree associated with a
formal arrest.

(c) Electronic recording means an audio-visual recording that accurately
preserves the statements of all parties to a custodial interrogation.

(d) Interrogation means words or conduct initiated by a law enforcement
officer that the officer should know are reasonably likely to elicit an incriminating
response from the suspect.

(e) Permanent detention facility means any building, structure, or place
where persons are or may lawfully be held in custody or confinement under the
jurisdiction of the state of Colorado or any political subdivision of the state of
Colorado, including a building housing the offices of a law enforcement agency.
Permanent detention facility does not include a vehicle, trailer, mobile office, or
temporary structure.

Legislative History

Source: L. 2016: Entire part added, (HB 16-1117), ch. 329, p. 1334, � 1, effective June 10.