A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT to provide for open discovery in class a through e felonies and to make certain other amendments to the laws regarding discovery in criminal cases:
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
SECTION 1.  G.S. 15A‑902 reads as rewritten:
"§ 15A‑902.  Discovery procedure.
(a)	A party seeking discovery under this Article must, before filing any motion before a judge, request in writing that the other party comply voluntarily with the discovery request. A written request is not required if the opposing party agrees in writing to waive that requirement. Upon receiving a negative or unsatisfactory response, or upon the passage of seven days following the receipt of the request without response, the party requesting discovery may file a motion for discovery under the provisions of this Article concerning any matter as to which voluntary discovery was not made pursuant to request.
(b)	To the extent that discovery authorized in this Article is voluntarily made in response to a request or written agreement, the discovery is deemed to have been made under an order of the court for the purposes of this Article.
(c)	A motion for discovery under this Article must be heard before  a superior court judge.
(d)	If a defendant is represented by counsel, he may as a matter of right request voluntary discovery from the State under subsection (a) above not later than the tenth working day after either the probable‑cause hearing or the date he waives the hearing. If a defendant is not represented by counsel, or is indicted or consents to the filing of a bill of information before he has been afforded or waived a probable‑cause hearing, he may as a matter of right request voluntary discovery from the State under subsection (a) above not later than the tenth working day after
(1)	The defendant's consent to be tried upon a bill of information, or the service of notice upon him that a true bill of indictment has been found by the grand jury, or
(2)	The appointment of counsel – whichever is later.
For the purposes of this subsection a defendant is represented by counsel only if counsel was retained by or appointed for him prior to or during a probable‑cause hearing or prior to execution by him of a waiver of a probable‑cause hearing.
(e)	The State may as a matter of right request voluntary discovery from the defendant, when authorized under this Article, at any time not later than the tenth working day after disclosure by the State with respect to the category of discovery in question.
(f)	A motion for discovery made at any time prior to trial may be entertained if the parties so stipulate or if the judge for good cause shown determines that the motion should be allowed in whole or in part."
SECTION 2.  G.S. 15A‑903 reads as rewritten:
"§ 15A‑903.  Disclosure of evidence by the State – Information subject to disclosure.
(a)	Statement of Defendant. – Upon motion of a defendant, the court must order the prosecutor:
(1)	To permit the defendant to inspect and copy or photograph any relevant written or recorded statements made by the defendant, or copies thereof, within the possession, custody, or control of the State the existence of which is known or by the exercise of due diligence may become known to the prosecutor; and
(2)	To divulge, in written or recorded form, the substance of any oral statement relevant to the subject matter of the case made by the defendant, regardless of to whom the statement was made, within the possession, custody or control of the State, the existence of which is known to the prosecutor or becomes known to him prior to or during the course of trial; except that disclosure of such a statement is not required if it was made to an informant whose identity is a prosecution secret and who will not testify for the prosecution, and if the statement is not exculpatory. If the statement was made to a person other than a law‑enforcement officer and if the statement is then known to the State, the State must divulge the substance of the statement no later than 12 o'clock noon, on Wednesday prior to the beginning of the week during which the case is calendared for trial. If disclosure of the substance of defendant's oral statement to an informant whose identity is or was a prosecution secret is withheld, the informant must not testify for the prosecution at trial.
(b)	Statement of a Codefendant. – Upon motion of a defendant, the court must order the prosecutor:
(1)	To permit the defendant to inspect and copy or photograph any written or recorded statement of a codefendant which the State intends to offer in evidence at their joint trial; and
(2)	To divulge, in written or recorded form, the substance of any oral statement made by a codefendant which the State intends to offer in evidence at their joint trial.
(c)	Defendant's Prior Record. – Upon motion of the defendant, the court must order the State to furnish to the defendant a copy of his prior criminal record, if any, as is available to the prosecutor.
(d)	Documents and Tangible Objects. – Upon motion of the defendant, the court must order the prosecutor to permit the defendant to inspect and copy or photograph books, papers, documents, photographs, motion pictures, mechanical or electronic recordings, buildings and places, or any other crime scene, tangible objects, or copies or portions thereof which are within the possession, custody, or control of the State and which are material to the preparation of his defense, are intended for use by the State as evidence at the trial, or were obtained from or belong to the defendant.
(e)	Reports of Examinations and Tests. – Upon motion of a defendant, the court must order the prosecutor to provide a copy of or to permit the defendant to inspect and copy or photograph results or reports of physical or mental examinations or of tests, measurements or experiments made in connection with the case, or copies thereof, within the possession, custody, or control of the State, the existence of which is known or by the exercise of due diligence may become known to the prosecutor. In addition, upon motion of a defendant, the court must order the prosecutor to permit the defendant to inspect, examine, and test, subject to appropriate safeguards, any physical evidence, or a sample of it, available to the prosecutor if the State intends to offer the evidence, or tests or experiments made in connection with the evidence, as an exhibit or evidence in the case.
(f)	Statements of State's Witnesses.
(1)	Except as provided in subsection (h) of this section, in any criminal prosecution brought by the State, no statement or report in the possession of the State that was made by a State witness or prospective State witness, other than the defendant, shall be the subject of subpoena, discovery, or inspection until that witness has testified on direct examination in the trial of the case.
(2)	After a witness called by the State has testified on direct examination, the court shall, on motion of the defendant, order the State to produce any statement of the witness in the possession of the State that relates to the subject matter as to which the witness has testified. If the entire contents of that statement relate to the subject matter of the testimony of the witness, the court shall order it to be delivered directly to the defendant for his examination and use.
(3)	If the State claims that any statement ordered to be produced under this section contains matter that does not relate to the subject matter of the testimony of the witness, the court shall order the State to deliver that statement for the inspection of the court in camera. Upon delivery the court shall excise the portions of the statement that do not relate to the subject matter of the testimony of the witness. With that material excised, the court shall then direct delivery of the statement to the defendant for his use. If, pursuant to this procedure, any portion of the statement is withheld from the defendant and the defendant objects to the withholding, and if the trial results in the conviction of the defendant, the entire text of the statement shall be preserved by the State and, in the event the defendant appeals, shall be made available to the appellate court for the purpose of determining the correctness of the ruling of the trial judge. Whenever any statement is delivered to a defendant pursuant to this subsection, the court, upon application of the defendant, may recess proceedings in the trial for a period of time that it determines is reasonably required for the examination of the statement by the defendant and his preparation for its use in the trial.
(4)	If the State elects not to comply with an order of the court under subdivision (2) or (3) to deliver a statement to the defendant, the court shall strike from the record the testimony of the witness, and direct the jury to disregard the testimony, and the trial shall proceed unless the court determines that the interests of justice require that a mistrial be declared.
(5)	The term "statement," as used in subdivision (2), (3), and (4) in relation to any witness called by the State means
a.	A written statement made by the witness and signed or otherwise adopted or approved by him;
b.	A stenographic, mechanical, electrical, or other recording, or a transcription thereof, that is a substantially verbatim recital or an oral statement made by the witness and recorded contemporaneously with the making of the oral statements.
(g)	DNA Laboratory Reports. – The defendant shall have the right in all cases under this Article to obtain a copy of DNA laboratory reports provided to the district attorney revealing that there was a DNA match to the defendant that was derived from a CODIS match during a comparison search involving the defendant's DNA sample, in accordance with the procedure set forth in G.S. 15A‑902.
(h)	Class A through E Felonies. – This subsection applies to cases within the original jurisdiction of the superior court in which the defendant is charged with a Class A, B1, B2, C, D, or E felony. This Article also applies to felony and misdemeanor charges of any class that are brought contemporaneously with or subsequently joined with a Class A, B1, B2, C, D, or E felony.
Upon motion of the defendant, the court must order the prosecutor:
(1)	To make available to the defendant the complete files of all law enforcement and prosecutorial agencies involved in the investigation of the crimes committed or the prosecution of the defendant. The term "file" includes, but is not limited to: the defendant's statements, witness statements, investigating officers' notes, results of tests and examinations, or any other matter or evidence obtained during the investigation of the offenses alleged to have been committed by the defendant. The defendant shall have the right to inspect and copy or photograph any materials contained therein and, under appropriate safeguards, to inspect, examine, and test any physical evidence or sample contained therein.
(2)	To provide the discovery required in G.S. 15A‑903(a) through (e) if not provided under subdivision (1) of this subsection.
(3)	To give notice to the defendant of the intent to call any expert witnesses at trial. Each expert that the State intends to call as a witness at trial shall prepare, and the State shall furnish to the defendant, a report of the results of any examinations or tests conducted by the expert. The State shall also furnish to the defendant the expert's curriculum vitae and a written description of the substance of the expert's proposed testimony, the expert's opinion, and the underlying basis for that opinion. The defendant shall give the notice and furnish the materials required by this subsection within a reasonable time prior to trial, as specified by the court.
(4)	To give the defendant, at the beginning of jury selection, a written list of the names of all other witnesses whom the State intends to call during the trial. Names of witnesses shall not be subject to disclosure if the State certifies to the court that to do so may subject the witnesses or others to physical or substantial economic harm or coercion, or that there is other particularized, compelling need not to disclose. The certification to the court shall be in writing and placed under seal."
SECTION 3.  G.S. 15A‑904 reads as rewritten:
"§ 15A‑904.  Disclosure  by the State – Certain information not subject to disclosure.
(a)	 The State is not required to disclose written materials drafted by the prosecuting attorney or the prosecuting attorney's legal staff for their own use at trial, including witness examinations, voir dire questions, opening statements, and closing arguments. Disclosure is also not required of legal research or of records, correspondence, reports, memoranda, or trial preparation interview notes prepared by the prosecuting attorney or by members of the prosecuting attorney's legal staff to the extent they contain the opinions, theories, or conclusions of the prosecuting attorney or the prosecuting attorney's legal staff.
(b)	Nothing in this section prohibits a prosecutor from making voluntary disclosures in the interest of justice nor prohibits a court from finding that the protections of this section have been waived.
(c)	This section shall have no effect on a prosecutor's duty to comply with federal or State constitutional disclosure requirements."
SECTION 4.  G.S. 15A‑905 reads as rewritten:
"§ 15A‑905.  Disclosure of evidence by the defendant – Information subject to disclosure.
(a)	Documents and Tangible Objects. – If the court grants any relief sought by the defendant under G.S. 15A‑903(d), the court must, upon motion of the State, order the defendant to permit the State to inspect and copy or photograph books, papers, documents, photographs, motion pictures, mechanical or electronic recordings, tangible objects, or copies or portions thereof which are within the possession, custody, or control of the defendant and which the defendant intends to introduce in evidence at the trial.
(b)	Reports of Examinations and Tests. – If the court grants any relief sought by the defendant under G.S. 15A‑903(e), the court must, upon motion of the State, order the defendant to permit the State to inspect and copy or photograph results or reports of physical or mental examinations or of tests, measurements or experiments made in connection with the case, or copies thereof, within the possession and control of the defendant which the defendant intends to introduce in evidence at the trial or which were prepared by a witness whom the defendant intends to call at the trial, when the results or reports relate to his testimony. In addition, upon motion of a prosecutor, the court must order the defendant to permit the prosecutor to inspect, examine, and test, subject to appropriate safeguards, any physical evidence or a sample of it available to the defendant if the defendant intends to offer such evidence, or tests or experiments made in connection with such evidence, as an exhibit or evidence in the case.
(c)	Class A through E Felonies. – If the court grants any relief sought by the defendant under G.S. 15A‑903(h), the court must, upon motion of the State, order the defendant:
(1)	To provide the discovery required by G.S. 15A‑905(a) and (b):
(2)	To give notice to the prosecutor of the intent to offer at trial a defense of alibi, duress, entrapment, insanity, mental infirmity, diminished capacity, self-defense, accident, automatism, involuntary intoxication, or voluntary intoxication. As to only the defenses of duress, entrapment, insanity, automatism, or involuntary intoxication, such notice by the defendant shall contain specific information as to the nature and extent of the defense. Such notice of defense as described in this paragraph is inadmissible against the defendant. Such notice of defense must be given within five working days of when the case is initially set for trial pursuant to G.S. 7A‑49.4, or such other later time as set by the court.
(3)	To give notice to the prosecutor of the intent to call any expert witnesses at trial. Each expert that the defendant intends to call as a witness at trial shall prepare, and the defendant shall furnish to the prosecutor, a report of the results of the examinations or tests conducted by the expert. The defendant shall also furnish to the prosecutor the expert's curriculum vitae and a written description of the substance of the expert's proposed testimony, the expert's opinion, and the underlying basis for that opinion. The defendant shall give the notice and furnish the materials required by this subsection within a reasonable time prior to trial, as specified by the court.
(4)	To give the State, at the beginning of jury selection, a written list of the names of all other witnesses whom the defendant intends to call during the trial. Names of witnesses shall not be subject to disclosure if the defendant certifies to the court that to do so may subject the witnesses or others to physical or substantial economic harm or coercion, or that there is other particularized, compelling need not to disclose. The certification to the court shall be in writing and placed under seal.
(d)	"Intent" as contemplated in this section is that intent which exists at the time of the notice and is subject to the continuing duty to supplement disclosure. Evidence shall not be excluded, and no witness shall be precluded from testifying for any party, because the evidence or the witness' identity was not disclosed pursuant to this rule, if the party calling such witness or offering such evidence did not in good faith intend to call the witness or offer the evidence at the time that he or she provided the material required by this rule. In the interests of justice, the judicial authority may in its discretion permit any undisclosed individual to testify."
SECTION 5.  G.S. 15A‑908(a) reads as rewritten:
"(a)	Upon written motion of a party and a finding of good cause, which may include, but is not limited to a finding that there is a substantial risk to any person or physical harm, intimidation, bribery, economic reprisals, or unnecessary annoyance or embarrassment, the court may at any time order that discovery or inspection be denied, restricted, or deferred, or may make other appropriate orders. In cases subject to G.S. 15A‑903(h) and G.S. 15A‑905(c), a party may apply ex parte for a protective order and, if an ex parte order is granted, the opposing party shall receive notice that the order was entered, but without disclosure of the nature or content of the order."
SECTION 6.  G.S. 15A‑910  reads as rewritten:
"§ 15A‑910.  Regulation of discovery – Failure to comply.
(a)	If at any time during the course of the proceedings the court determines that a party has failed to comply with this Article or with an order issued pursuant to this Article, the court in addition to exercising its contempt powers may
(1)	Order the party to permit the discovery or inspection, or
(2)	Grant a continuance or recess, or
(3)	Prohibit the party from introducing evidence not disclosed, or
(3a)	Declare a mistrial, or
(3b)	Dismiss the charge, with or without prejudice, or
(4)	Enter other appropriate orders.
(b)	Prior to finding any sanctions appropriate, the court shall consider both the materiality of the subject matter and the totality of the circumstances surrounding an alleged failure to comply with this Article or an order issued pursuant to this Article."
SECTION 7.  G.S. 15A‑959 reads as rewritten:
"§ 15A‑959.  Notice of defense of insanity; pretrial determination of insanity.
(a)	If a defendant intends to raise the defense of insanity, he must  file a notice of his intention to rely on the defense of insanity as provided in G.S. 15A‑905(c) and, if the case is not subject to that section, within a reasonable time prior to trial. The court may for cause shown allow late filing of the notice or grant additional time to the parties to prepare for trial or make other appropriate orders.
(b)	In cases not subject to the requirements of G.S. 15A‑905(c), if a defendant intends to introduce expert testimony relating to a mental disease, defect, or other condition bearing upon the issue of whether he had the mental state required for the offense charged, he must within a reasonable time prior to trial file a notice of that intention. The court may for cause shown allow late filing of the notice or grant additional time to the parties to prepare for trial or make other appropriate orders.
(c)	Upon motion of the defendant and with the consent of the State the court may conduct a hearing prior to the trial with regard to the defense of insanity at the time of the offense. If the court determines that the defendant has a valid defense of insanity with regard to any criminal charge, it may dismiss that charge, with prejudice, upon making a finding to that effect. The court's denial of relief under this subsection is without prejudice to the defendant's right to rely on the defense at trial. If the motion is denied, no reference to the hearing may be made at the trial, and recorded testimony or evidence taken at the hearing is not admissible as evidence at the trial."
SECTION 8.  G.S. 15A‑501 is amended by adding a new subdivision to read:
"§ 15A‑501.  Police processing and duties upon arrest generally.
Upon the arrest of a person, with or without a warrant, but not necessarily in the order hereinafter listed, a law‑enforcement officer:
…
(6)	Must make available to the prosecutor on a timely basis all materials and information acquired in the course of all felony investigations. This responsibility is a continuing affirmative duty."
SECTION 9.  There is appropriated from the General Fund to the Administrative Office of the Courts the sum of two hundred fifty thousand dollars ($250,000) to be used as a reserve to assist district attorneys with the cost of administering the new rules under open-file discovery.
SECTION 10.  Section 9 of this act becomes effective July 1, 2004.  The remainder of this act becomes effective October 1, 2004.