2014 Arkansas Code
Title 16 - Practice, Procedure, And Courts
Subtitle 6 - Criminal Procedure Generally
Chapter 89 - Trial and Verdict
§ 16-89-116 - Documents -- Discovery and inspection.

(a) Upon motion of a defendant, the court may order the prosecuting attorney to permit the defendant to inspect and copy or photograph any relevant:

(1) Written or recorded statements or confessions 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 prosecuting attorney;

(2) Results or reports of physical or mental examinations and of scientific tests or experiments made in connection with the particular 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 prosecuting attorney; and

(3) Recorded testimony of the defendant before a grand jury.

(b) Upon motion of a defendant, the court may order the prosecuting attorney to permit the defendant to inspect and copy or photograph books, papers, documents, tangible objects, buildings, or places, or copies or portions thereof, which are within the possession, custody, or control of the state, upon a showing of materiality to the preparation of his or her defense and that the request is reasonable. Except as provided in subdivision (a)(2) of this section, this section does not authorize the discovery or inspection of reports, memoranda, or other internal state documents made by state agents in connection with the investigation or prosecution of the case, or of statements made by state witnesses or prospective state witnesses, other than the defendant, to agents of the state except as provided in § 16-89-115(a)-(e).

(c) If the court grants relief sought by the defendant under subdivision (a)(2) or subsection (b) of this section, it may, upon motion of the state, condition its order by requiring that the defendant permit the state to inspect and copy or photograph scientific or medical reports, books, papers, documents, tangible objects, or copies or portions thereof, which the defendant intends to produce at the trial and which are within his or her possession, custody, or control, upon a showing of materiality to the preparation of the state's case and that the request is reasonable. Except as to scientific or medical reports, this subsection does not authorize the discovery or inspection of reports, memoranda, or other internal defense documents made by the defendant or his attorneys or agents in connection with the investigation or defense of the case or of statements made by the defendant or by state or defense witnesses, or by prospective state or defense witnesses, to the defendant, his agents, or attorneys.

(d) An order of the court granting relief under this section shall specify the time, place, and manner of making the discovery and inspection permitted and may prescribe such terms and conditions as are just.

(e) (1) Upon a sufficient showing, the court may at any time order that the discovery or inspection be denied, restricted, or deferred, or make such other order as is appropriate.

(2) Upon motion by the state, the court may permit the state to make the showing, in whole or in part, in the form of a written statement to be inspected by the court in camera.

(3) If the court enters an order granting relief following a showing in camera the entire text of the state's statement shall be sealed and preserved in the records of the court to be made available to the appellate court in the event of an appeal by the defendant.

(f) A motion under this section may be made only within ten (10) days after arraignment or at such reasonable later time as the court may permit.

(1) The motion shall include all relief sought under this section.

(2) A subsequent motion may be made only upon a showing of cause why the motion would be in the interest of justice.

(g) (1) If, subsequent to compliance with an order issued pursuant to this section, and prior to or during trial, a party discovers additional material previously requested or ordered which is subject to discovery or inspection under this section, he or she shall promptly notify the other party or his or her attorney or the court of the existence of the additional material.

(2) If at any time during the course of the proceedings it is brought to the attention of the court that a party has failed to comply with this section or with an order issued pursuant to this section, the court may order the party to permit the discovery or inspection of materials not previously disclosed, grant a continuance, or prohibit the party from introducing in evidence the material not disclosed, or it may enter such other order as it deems just under the circumstances.

(h) The provisions of this section shall be applicable to the district, city, and circuit courts of this state.