The proposed bill would amend current statutes to enhance the rights of crime victims regarding access to police reports and related audio recordings. Specifically, it would add audio recordings to the list of materials that victims are entitled to receive at no charge from law enforcement agencies, which currently includes police reports and video recordings from the investigating law enforcement agency at no charge pursuant to section 39-127. Additionally, the bill would allow victims to appeal a denial of access to public records during a criminal case through a special action within the case itself, rather than through separate legal procedures If a victim is denied access to a public record pursuant to this article in the course of a criminal case in superior court, the victim may appeal the denial through a special action within the criminal case. Furthermore, the bill would clarify the definition of “domestic violence offense” to align with existing legal definitions, ensuring that victims of such offenses have the same rights to access police reports and recordings as other crime victims. The bill also includes various technical and conforming changes to existing statutes, ensuring that the language is consistent and up-to-date Makes technical and conforming changes. Overall, these updates aim to strengthen the support and resources available to victims of crime in Arizona.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 8-386, 13-4405, 39-121.02, 39-127, 8-384, 8-385, 13-1414, 13-3601, 8-323, 8-398, 13-4403, 13-4404, 39-129, 13-4417, 12-349
Senate Engrossed Version: 8-386, 13-4405, 39-121.02, 39-127, 8-384, 8-385, 13-1414, 13-3601, 8-323, 8-398, 13-4403, 13-4404, 39-129, 13-4417, 12-349
Chaptered Version: 8-386, 13-4405, 39-121.02, 39-127, 8-384, 8-385, 13-1414, 13-3601, 8-323, 8-398, 13-4403, 13-4404, 39-129, 13-4417, 12-349