46-4-406. Purpose. The legislature intends to require the electronic recording of custodial interrogations in felony cases based on the finding that properly recorded interrogations:
     (1) provide the best evidence of the communications that occurred during an interrogation;
     (2) prevent disputes about a peace officer's conduct or treatment of a suspect during the course of an interrogation;
     (3) prevent a defendant from lying about the account of events originally provided to law enforcement by the defendant;
     (4) spare judges and jurors the time necessary and the need to assess which account of an interrogation to believe;
     (5) enhance public confidence in the criminal process; and
     (6) have been encouraged by the Montana supreme court in a written opinion of that court.

     History: En. Sec. 1, Ch. 214, L. 2009.