Attorney General Control of the State Crime Lab (H 6229, S 951)

We strongly opposed this legislation which would move the independent state crime laboratory within the purview and authority of the Department of Attorney General. We argued this maneuver is an inappropriate law enforcement intrusion into what must remain an independent process. Criminal trials are inherently adversarial, and giving increasingly more control to the Attorney General over evidentiary and forensic analysis starkly undermines this balance and disproportionately favors the prosecution. Preserving the independence of the state crime laboratory is essential in any justice system that values fairness and objectivity. This legislation died in committee.