Interrogations must now be recorded or risk jury instruction.

• Date: 15 January 2007
• Author: Zemlicka, Jack

Byline: Jack Zemlicka

Thanks to a new state law, more felony interrogations conducted by police will be seen and heard in the courtroom. Wisconsin Act 60 was adopted in Dec-ember 2005 and the provision, which requires police to record interviews with suspects in serious crimes, went into effect Jan. 1, 2007. A product of the Avery Task Force, the legislation was drawn up to help police, attorneys and juries compile and review more comprehensive testimony from suspects. Most agree that the measure will ultimately enhance the accuracy of convictions, but the law also raises both temporary and lasting concerns. Do You Hear What I Hear? While Wisconsin juvenile courts deem unrecorded statements inadmissible, declarations given by felony adult suspects prior to or after recording are still allowed. The new policy is designed to reduce the amount of he said, she said in court by ensuring at least one audio recording of felony suspect interviews is on record. State judges are permitted to instruct juries of the circumstances involved if one is not available...