Bill Summary for H 323 (2019-2020)

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Summary date: 

Mar 11 2019
S.L. 2019-150

Bill Information:

View NCGA Bill Details2019-2020 Session
House Bill 323 (Public) Filed Monday, March 11, 2019
AN ACT TO ASSESS AS PART OF THE COST OF COURT FOR CONVICTED OFFENDERS THE COST OF LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT CRIME LAB ANALYSIS DURING INVESTIGATION.
Intro. by Faircloth, McNeill, Boles, Davis.

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Bill summary

Amends GS 7A-304 to assess specified costs of local law enforcement crime lab analysis as part of the court costs to be paid by the offender (previously, the cost was limited to services of a crime lab operated by a local government or group of local governments). Included fees are those in cases in which: (1) the lab has performed DNA analysis of the crime, test of bodily fluids of the defendant for the presence of alcohol or controlled substances, or analysis of any controlled substance possessed by the defendant or the defendant's agent and the court finds that the work is equivalent to the same kind performed by the NC State Crime Lab; (2) in cases in which as part of the investigation leading to conviction, the lab has performed digital forensics and the court finds that the work performed at the lab is equivalent to the same kind of work performed by the NC State Crime Lab; or (3) the expert witness who completes a chemical analysis, a forensic analysis, or a digital forensics analysis and  provides testimony about the chemical or forensic analysis in the defendant's trial. Applies to costs assessed on or after July 1, 2019.