1371. Short title--program duration, OK ST T. 22 1371 22 Okl.St.Ann. 1371 1371. Short title--program duration A. Sections 1 through 3 of this act shall be known and may be cited as the. B. There is hereby created the Oklahoma Indigent Defense System DNA Forensic Testing Program to continue until July 1, 2005. Laws 2000, c. 276, 1, eff. July 1, 2000. 22 Okl. St. Ann. 1371, OK ST T. 22 1371 1
1371.1. DNA Forensic Testing Program--Purpose--Authority..., OK ST T. 22 1371.1 22 Okl.St.Ann. 1371.1 1371.1. DNA Forensic Testing Program--Purpose--Authority of the Oklahoma Indigent Defense System--Claim priority A. A DNA Forensic Testing Program shall be created within the Oklahoma Indigent Defense System to investigate, screen, and present to the appropriate prosecutorial agency claims that scientific evidence will demonstrate indigent persons convicted of, and presently incarcerated on, any felony offense upon which the testing is sought are factually innocent. Factual innocence requires the defendant to establish by clear and convincing evidence that no reasonable jury would have found the defendant guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in light of the new evidence. The System s services shall be available only upon the submission of an affidavit of indigency to the System signed by an incarcerated person convicted of a felony and upon a preliminary determination by the System that the claim has a reasonable basis in fact. Determinations of indigency shall be made at the sole discretion of the System based on rules for determining indigency promulgated by the Court of Criminal Appeals pursuant to the Indigent Defense Act. Determinations of reasonableness and acceptance of cases for which DNA testing will be performed shall be within the sole discretion of the System and shall not be subject to judicial review. B. The System shall employ such attorneys, investigators, and other employees as may be necessary to process and present claims of factual innocence to the appropriate prosecuting agency in an efficient manner. C. The System shall give priority to claims based on certain factors, including but not limited to: 1. The opportunity for conclusive or near conclusive proof that the person is factually innocent by reason of scientific evidence; and 2. A lengthy sentence of imprisonment or a death sentence. D. The System is authorized to investigate cases and arrange for the forensic testing of evidence to determine whether evidence of factual innocence exists. Samples must be of sufficient quantity to allow testing by both the prosecution and the defense. Neither the prosecution nor defense shall consume the entire sample in testing in the absence of a court order 2
1371.1. DNA Forensic Testing Program--Purpose--Authority..., OK ST T. 22 1371.1 allowing the sample to be entirely consumed in testing. The System shall request the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation or the city in which the offense upon which the testing is sought was committed to perform the testing. The Bureau or the city may decline for any reason at their discretion in writing within thirty (30) days of receipt of the request. In those cases where the Bureau or city declines or fails to respond within thirty (30) days, or cannot perform the testing within a reasonable time, the System may request the professional services of experts under contract with the System as necessary for testing and presentation of such claims to the appropriate prosecuting agency. E. All municipal, county and state forensic laboratories shall provide copies to the System of laboratory examination reports regarding cases accepted for investigation by the DNA Forensic Testing Program administered by the Oklahoma Indigent Defense System. The reports shall be confidential and not subject to the Oklahoma Open Records Act. 1 The reports shall be used only for investigating, screening, and presenting claims pursuant to the provisions of the. F. Nothing in the shall require any person other than an incarcerate to provide a sample from their body for purposes of testing. Laws 2000, c. 276, 2, eff. July 1, 2000; Laws 2004, c. 123, 2, emerg. eff. April 19, 2004. Footnotes 1 Title 51, 24A.1 et seq. 22 Okl. St. Ann. 1371.1, OK ST T. 22 1371.1 3
1371.2. Entitlement claim, OK ST T. 22 1371.2 22 Okl.St.Ann. 1371.2 1371.2. Entitlement claim An indigent person convicted of, and presently incarcerated on, any felony offense upon which the testing is sought, who alleges a claim of entitlement to forensic testing for purposes of demonstrating factual innocence may request the services of the Oklahoma Indigent Defense System DNA Forensic Testing Program pursuant to the. Laws 2000, c. 276, 3, eff. July 1, 2000. 22 Okl. St. Ann. 1371.2, OK ST T. 22 1371.2 4
1372. Biological evidence preservation--definitions, OK ST T. 22 1372 22 Okl.St.Ann. 1372 1372. Biological evidence preservation--definitions A. A criminal justice agency having possession or custody of biological evidence from a violent felony offense, as defined by subsection F of Section 982 of Title 22 of the Oklahoma Statutes, shall retain and preserve that biological evidence for such period of time as any individual convicted of that crime remains incarcerated. B. As used in this section: 1. Biological evidence means physical evidentiary material originating from the human body from which a nuclear DNA profile or mitochondrial DNA sequence can be obtained or representative or derivative samples of such physical evidentiary material collected by a forensic DNA laboratory; and 2. DNA means deoxyribonucleic acid. C. The criminal justice agency in possession or custody of biological evidence may destroy or otherwise dispose of the biological evidence before the expiration of the period of time described in subsection A of this section only if: 1. The agency notifies any person who remains incarcerated in connection with the case, the Oklahoma Indigent Defense System DNA Forensic Testing Program if still applicable, and any counsel of record or public defender organization for the judicial district in which the judgment of conviction for such person was entered, of: a. the intention of the agency to destroy the evidence, and b. the provisions of the, if still applicable; 5
1372. Biological evidence preservation--definitions, OK ST T. 22 1372 2. No person submits a written objection to the destruction of the biological evidence to the agency within ninety (90) days of receiving notice pursuant to paragraph 1 of this subsection; and 3. No other provision of law requires that such biological evidence be preserved. Laws 2001, c. 52, 1, eff. July 1, 2001. 22 Okl. St. Ann. 1372, OK ST T. 22 1372 6
1373. Short title--postconviction DNA Act, OK ST T. 22 1373 22 Okl.St.Ann. 1373 1373. Short title--postconviction DNA Act This act shall be known and may be cited as the Postconviction DNA Act. Laws 2013, c. 317, 1, eff. Nov. 1, 2013. 22 Okl. St. Ann. 1373, OK ST T. 22 1373 7
1373.1. Definitions, OK ST T. 22 1373.1 22 Okl.St.Ann. 1373.1 1373.1. Definitions As used in the Postconviction DNA Act: 1. Biological material means the contents of a sexual assault evidence collection kit as well as any item that contains or includes blood, semen, hair, saliva, skin tissue, fingernail scrapings or parings, bone, bodily fluids or other identifiable biological material that was collected as part of the criminal investigation or may reasonably be used to incriminate or exculpate any person for an offense and that may be suitable for forensic DNA testing. This definition applies whether the material was catalogued separately including, but not limited to, on a swab, a slide or on any other evidence; 2. DNA means deoxyribonucleic acid; 3. Document or documents means any tangible thing upon which any expression, communication or representation has been recorded by any means and includes any writing, electronic writing, recording, drawing, map, graph or chart, photograph and other data compilation in the actual or constructive possession, custody, care or control of the government which pertains directly or indirectly to any matter relevant to the issues in a criminal case; and 4. Guardian of a convicted person means a person who is the legal guardian of the convicted person, whether the legal relationship exists because of the age of the convicted person or because of the physical or mental incompetency of the convicted person. Laws 2013, c. 317, 2, eff. Nov. 1, 2013. 22 Okl. St. Ann. 1373.1, OK ST T. 22 1373.1 8
1373.2. Motion requesting testing, OK ST T. 22 1373.2 22 Okl.St.Ann. 1373.2 1373.2. Motion requesting testing A. Notwithstanding any other provision of law concerning postconviction relief, a person convicted of a violent felony crime or who has received a sentence of twenty-five (25) years or more and who asserts that he or she did not commit such crime may file a motion in the sentencing court requesting forensic DNA testing of any biological material secured in the investigation or prosecution attendant to the challenged conviction. Persons eligible for testing shall include any and all of the following: 1. Persons currently incarcerated, civilly committed, on parole or probation or subject to sex offender registration; 2. Persons convicted on a plea of not guilty, guilty or nolo contendere; 3. Persons deemed to have provided a confession or admission related to the crime, either before or after conviction of the crime; and 4. Persons who have discharged the sentence for which the person was convicted. B. A convicted person may request forensic DNA testing of any biological material secured in the investigation or prosecution attendant to the conviction that: 1. Was not previously subjected to DNA testing; or 2. Although previously subjected to DNA testing, can be subjected to testing with newer testing techniques that provide a reasonable likelihood of results that are more accurate and probative than the results of the previous DNA test. 9
1373.2. Motion requesting testing, OK ST T. 22 1373.2 C. The motion requesting forensic DNA testing shall be accompanied by an affidavit sworn to by the convicted person containing statements of fact in support of the motion. D. Upon receipt of the motion requesting forensic DNA testing, the sentencing court shall provide a copy of the motion to the attorney representing the state and require the attorney for the state to file a response within sixty (60) days of receipt of service or longer, upon good cause shown. The response shall include an inventory of all the evidence related to the case, including the custodian of such evidence. E. A guardian of a convicted person may submit motions for the convicted person under the provisions of this act and shall be entitled to counsel as otherwise provided to a convicted person pursuant to this act. Laws 2013, c. 317, 3, eff. Nov. 1, 2013. 22 Okl. St. Ann. 1373.2, OK ST T. 22 1373.2 10
1373.3. Pro se referrals, OK ST T. 22 1373.3 22 Okl.St.Ann. 1373.3 1373.3. Pro se referrals The sentencing court, in its discretion, may refer pro se requests for DNA testing to qualified parties willing to accept the referrals for further review without appointing the parties as counsel for the convicted person at that time. Such qualified parties may include, but shall not be limited to, indigent defense organizations or clinical legal education programs. Laws 2013, c. 317, 4, eff. Nov. 1, 2013. 22 Okl. St. Ann. 1373.3, OK ST T. 22 1373.3 11
1373.4. Hearing--Testing, OK ST T. 22 1373.4 22 Okl.St.Ann. 1373.4 1373.4. Hearing--Testing A. After the motion requesting forensic DNA testing and subsequent response have been filed, the sentencing court shall hold a hearing to determine whether DNA forensic testing will be ordered. A court shall order DNA testing only if the court finds: 1. A reasonable probability that the petitioner would not have been convicted if favorable results had been obtained through DNA testing at the time of the original prosecution; 2. The request for DNA testing is made to demonstrate the innocence of the convicted person and is not made to unreasonably delay the execution of the sentence or the administration of justice; 3. One or more of the items of evidence the convicted person seeks to have tested still exists; 4. The evidence to be tested was secured in relation to the challenged conviction and either was not previously subject to DNA testing or, if previously tested for DNA, the evidence can be subjected to additional DNA testing that will provide a reasonable likelihood of more probative results; and 5. The chain of custody of the evidence to be tested is sufficient to establish that the evidence has not been substituted, tampered with, replaced or altered in any material respect or, if the chain of custody does not establish the integrity of the evidence, the testing itself has the potential to establish the integrity of the evidence. For purposes of this act, evidence that has been in the custody of law enforcement, other government officials or a public or private hospital shall be presumed to satisfy the chain-of-custody requirement of this subsection absent specific evidence of material tampering, replacement or alteration. B. If at the close of the hearing the court orders DNA forensic testing to be conducted, the court by written order shall require the attorney representing the state to effect the transfer of the item or items of evidence to be tested along with any 12
1373.4. Hearing--Testing, OK ST T. 22 1373.4 documents, logs or reports relating to the items of evidence collected in connection with the criminal case to the designated laboratory or laboratories within thirty (30) days of the order. In addition, the court shall require the attorney representing the state to assist the petitioner in locating any evidence the state contends was lost, destroyed or in the possession of any other governmental entity, public or private hospital, laboratory or other facility. C. If the attorney representing the state or the petitioner previously conducted any DNA analysis or other biological-evidence testing without the knowledge of the other party, such testing shall be revealed in the motion requesting forensic DNA testing or response. D. The court may order DNA testing to be performed by the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation (OSBI), an accredited laboratory operating under contract with the OSBI or another accredited laboratory, as defined in Section 150.37 of Title 74 of the Oklahoma Statutes. If the OSBI or an accredited laboratory under contract with the OSBI conducts the testing, the state shall bear the costs of the testing. If another laboratory conducts the testing because neither the OSBI nor an accredited laboratory under contract with the OSBI has the ability or the resources to conduct the type of DNA testing to be performed, or if an accredited laboratory that is neither the OSBI nor under contract with the OSBI is chosen for some other reason, then the court shall require the petitioner to pay for the testing. E. The results of any postconviction DNA testing conducted under the provisions of this act, including any laboratory reports prepared in connection with the testing, the underlying data or other laboratory documents, shall be disclosed to the petitioner, the attorney for the state and the court. F. If an accredited laboratory other than the OSBI or one under contract with the OSBI performs the DNA testing, the court shall impose reasonable conditions on the testing of the evidence to protect the interests of the parties in the integrity of the evidence and testing process and to preserve the evidence to the greatest extent possible. Laws 2013, c. 317, 5, eff. Nov. 1, 2013. 22 Okl. St. Ann. 1373.4, OK ST T. 22 1373.4 13
1373.5. Results--Relief, OK ST T. 22 1373.5 22 Okl.St.Ann. 1373.5 1373.5. Results--Relief A. If the results of the forensic DNA testing conducted under the provisions of this act are favorable to the petitioner, the court shall schedule a hearing to determine the appropriate relief to be granted. Based on the results of the testing and any other evidence presented at the hearing, the court shall thereafter enter any order that serves the interests of justice including, but not limited to, any of the following: 1. An order setting aside or vacating the judgment of conviction, judgment of not guilty by reason of mental disease or defect or adjudication of delinquency; 2. An order granting the petitioner a new trial or fact-finding hearing; 3. An order granting the petitioner a new commitment hearing or dispositional hearing; 4. An order discharging the petitioner from custody; 5. An order specifying the disposition of any evidence that remains after the completion of the testing; 6. An order granting the petitioner additional discovery on matters related to the DNA test results on the conviction or sentence under scrutiny including, but not limited to, documents pertaining to the original criminal investigation or the identities of other suspects; or 7. An order directing the state to place any unidentified DNA profile or profiles obtained from postconviction DNA testing into Oklahoma or federal databases as allowed within applicable state and federal laws. 14
1373.5. Results--Relief, OK ST T. 22 1373.5 B. If the results of the tests are not favorable to the petitioner, the court shall: 1. Dismiss the motion; and 2. Make such further orders as the court deems appropriate, including an order that: a. requires the DNA test results be provided to the Pardon and Parole Board or Department of Corrections, or b. requests the DNA profile of the petitioner be added to the convicted offender index database of the OSBI Combined DNA Index System (CODIS) Database as provided by law. Laws 2013, c. 317, 6, eff. Nov. 1, 2013. 22 Okl. St. Ann. 1373.5, OK ST T. 22 1373.5 15
1373.6. Agreement to conduct testing, OK ST T. 22 1373.6 22 Okl.St.Ann. 1373.6 1373.6. Agreement to conduct testing A. The filing of a motion for postconviction DNA testing shall not be required if both the state and the convicted person consent and agree to conduct postconviction DNA testing. B. Notwithstanding any other provision of law governing postconviction relief, if DNA test results obtained under testing conducted upon consent of the parties are favorable to the convicted person, the convicted person may file and the court shall adjudicate an order pursuant to Section 6 of this act for postconviction relief based on the DNA test results. Laws 2013, c. 317, 7, eff. Nov. 1, 2013. 22 Okl. St. Ann. 1373.6, OK ST T. 22 1373.6 16
1373.7. Appeals, OK ST T. 22 1373.7 22 Okl.St.Ann. 1373.7 1373.7. Appeals An appeal under the provisions of the Postconviction DNA Act may be taken in the same manner as any other appeal. Laws 2013, c. 317, 8, eff. Nov. 1, 2013. 22 Okl. St. Ann. 1373.7, OK ST T. 22 1373.7 17