H.R. 4468: Federal Interviews Reform Act

This bill, titled the Federal Interviews Reform Act, aims to establish requirements for recording interviews conducted by federal law enforcement officers within the Department of Justice (DoJ). Here are the main provisions of the bill:

Audio Recording of Interviews

• Recording Requirement: The Attorney General would mandate that all interviews of persons suspected of committing a federal offense be recorded using audio or video technology.
• Scope of Application: This recording requirement applies to both custodial (detained) and non-custodial (not detained) interviews. However, it does not apply to communications with confidential informants.
• Extraterritorial Application: The requirement also extends to interviews conducted outside the United States of U.S. citizens by DoJ officers.

Notification and Consent

• No Notification or Consent Required: Federal officers may record interviews without needing to notify or obtain consent from the individual being interviewed.

Admissibility of Evidence

• Inadmissibility of Unrecorded Statements: Any statements or information gathered during interviews that are not recorded according to this bill cannot be used as evidence in federal court.

Retention of Recordings

• General Retention Period: The recordings must be kept for a period of 10 years following the conclusion of the relevant investigation or any related judicial procedures.
• Indefinite Retention for Certain Cases: If the interview pertains to a judicial proceeding involving a federal or state capital offense, the recording must be retained indefinitely.

Implementation Timeline

• Rule Finalization: The Attorney General is required to finalize the rules to implement this bill within 180 days of its enactment.

Overall Impact

The bill seeks to enhance the accountability and transparency of interviews conducted by federal law enforcement, ensuring that such interactions are properly documented and subject to legal standards in the event of prosecutions.

Relevant Companies

None found.