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Body-Worn Camera Policies and Procedures: Guidelines for Prosecutors

NCJ Number
307378
Author(s)
Michael C. Green; Robert Haas; Frank P. Carrubba; Craig D. Uchida; Delaney Falsken
Date Published
August 2023
Length
15 pages
Annotation

These guidelines provide recommendations for body-worn camera (BWC) policies and procedures in the criminal justice system.

Abstract

These guidelines provide a template for prosecutors to create formal protocols or policy for their offices around body-worn camera (BWC) issues. The guidelines highlight important issues to be considered, including interactions between prosecutors and law enforcement, prosecutor’s office policies regarding the viewing of BWC footage by witnesses, and internal practice of prosecutor’s office dealing with BWC evidence. BWCs and their video footage are increasingly important to the criminal justice system and critical in carrying out prosecutors’ responsibilities. Evidence from BWCs can aid in making informed charging decisions, safeguarding constitutional rights, obtaining convictions, and preventing wrongful convictions.