HOUSE BILL NO. 6356
A bill to amend 1927 PA 175, entitled
"The code of criminal procedure,"
(MCL 760.1 to 777.69) by adding sections 36a, 36b, 36c, 36d, 36e, 36f, 36g, and 36h to chapter VIII.
the people of the state of michigan enact:
Sec. 36a. As used in sections 36b to 36h of this chapter:
(a) "Benefit" means any plea bargain, bail consideration, reduction or modification of sentence, or any other leniency, immunity, financial payment, reward, or amelioration of current or future conditions of incarceration in return for, or in connection with, an in-custody informant's participation in any information-gathering activity, investigation, or operation, or in return for, or in connection with, the in-custody informant's testimony in a criminal proceeding in which the prosecuting attorney intends to call the in-custody informant as a witness.
(b) "In-custody informant" means an individual, other than a codefendant, percipient witness, accomplice, or co-conspirator, who provides testimony or information for use in the investigation or prosecution of a defendant based upon statements made by the defendant while the defendant and the in-custody informant were housed in the same correctional facility, county jail, local lockup, or other custodial facility.
Sec. 36b. (1) Each county prosecuting attorney's office shall track and maintain a record of the following information:
(a) The use of testimony or information provided to the prosecuting attorney's office by an in-custody informant against a defendant's interest.
(b) Any benefit offered or provided to an in-custody informant in exchange for testimony or information about a defendant.
(2) Each county prosecuting attorney's office shall provide the information described under subsection (1) to the department of the attorney general.
(3) The department of the attorney general shall maintain a statewide record of the information collected under subsection (1).
(4) The information collected under subsection (1) is confidential and is not subject to disclosure under the freedom of information act, 1976 PA 442, MCL 15.231 to 15.246.
Sec. 36c. A prosecuting attorney shall disclose to the defense in a timely manner before any evidentiary hearing or trial any information in the possession, custody, or control of the prosecution that is relevant to an in-custody informant's credibility, including, but not limited to, all of the following:
(a) Benefits that the prosecuting attorney has extended or will extend in the future to the in-custody informant.
(b) The substance, time, and place of any statement allegedly given by the defendant to the in-custody informant.
(c) The substance, time, and place of any statement given by the in-custody informant to law enforcement implicating the defendant in the crime charged.
(d) The complete criminal history of the in-custody informant.
(e) If the in-custody informant has previously testified or provided information in exchange for a benefit, the specific benefit previously offered or received.
(f) Whether or not the in-custody informant modified or recanted the in-custody informant's testimony at any time.
Sec. 36d. A prosecuting attorney shall timely disclose the prosecution's intent to introduce the testimony of an in-custody informant. The same procedure for introducing the testimony of other fact witnesses that are applicable in this state applies to an in-custody informant's testimony.
Sec. 36e. If an in-custody informant testifies, the prosecuting attorney or defense counsel may elicit the information described under section 36c of this chapter during direct or cross-examination, respectively. If a written statement from the in-custody informant is admitted for any reason, including, but not limited to, the unavailability of the in-custody informant, the information described under section 36c of this chapter must be included with the written statement.
Sec. 36f. If an in-custody informant receives a benefit related to a pending charge, a conviction, or a sentence in connection with offering or providing testimony against a defendant, the prosecuting attorney shall notify any victim in the in-custody informant's case of the benefit.
Sec. 36g. (1) Unless the defendant waives the hearing required under this section, before a trial commences during which the prosecuting attorney intends to introduce the testimony of an in-custody informant, the court shall hold a hearing to assess the reliability of the informant and to determine if the prosecuting attorney can introduce evidence to corroborate the content of the in-custody informant's testimony relating to a crime.
(2) At a hearing conducted under this section, the court shall consider all of the information described under section 36c of this chapter.
(3) If the prosecution fails to show by a preponderance of the evidence that the in-custody informant's testimony is reliable, the court shall render the testimony inadmissible.
Sec. 36h. If the in-custody informant's testimony is admitted into evidence, a cautionary instruction must be provided to the jury. The jury instruction must include all of the following:
(a) The testimony of an in-custody informant who provides evidence against a defendant must be examined and weighed with greater care than the testimony of an ordinary witness.
(b) The in-custody informant may expect, and in practice often receive, a benefit that has not been formally promised to the in-custody informant before trial.
(c) The reliability factors enumerated in section 36c of this chapter must be considered when determining whether the testimony of the in-custody informant has been influenced by interest in a benefit or prejudice against the defendant.