CHAPTER 4. EVIDENCE AND PROTECTION OF CERTAIN WITNESSES
IC 35-37-4
Chapter 4. Evidence and Protection of Certain Witnesses
IC 35-37-4-1
Competency of witness
Sec. 1. A person who is competent to testify in civil actions is also
competent to testify in criminal proceedings.
As added by Acts 1981, P.L.298, SEC.6.
IC 35-37-4-2
Credibility; general moral character
Sec. 2. In all questions affecting the credibility of a witness, his
general moral character may be given in evidence.
As added by Acts 1981, P.L.298, SEC.6.
IC 35-37-4-3
Depositions
Sec. 3. The state and the defendant may take and use depositions
of witnesses in accordance with the Indiana Rules of Trial Procedure.
As added by Acts 1981, P.L.298, SEC.6.
IC 35-37-4-4
Sex crimes; admissibility of evidence of past sexual conduct;
procedure
Sec. 4. (a) In a prosecution for a sex crime as defined in
IC 35-42-4:
(1) evidence of the victim's past sexual conduct;
(2) evidence of the past sexual conduct of a witness other than
the accused;
(3) opinion evidence of the victim's past sexual conduct;
(4) opinion evidence of the past sexual conduct of a witness
other than the accused;
(5) reputation evidence of the victim's past sexual conduct; and
(6) reputation evidence of the past sexual conduct of a witness
other than the accused;
may not be admitted, nor may reference be made to this evidence in
the presence of the jury, except as provided in this chapter.
(b) Notwithstanding subsection (a), evidence:
(1) of the victim's or a witness's past sexual conduct with the
defendant;
(2) which in a specific instance of sexual activity shows that
some person other than the defendant committed the act upon
which the prosecution is founded; or
(3) that the victim's pregnancy at the time of trial was not
caused by the defendant;
may be introduced if the judge finds, under the procedure provided
in subsection (c) of this section, that it is material to a fact at issue in
the case and that its inflammatory or prejudicial nature does not
outweigh its probative value.
(c) If the defendant or the state proposes to offer evidence
described in subsection (b) of this section, the following procedure
must be followed:
(1) The defendant or the state shall file a written motion not less
than ten (10) days before trial stating that it has an offer of
proof concerning evidence described in subsection (b) and its
relevancy to the case. This motion shall be accompanied by an
affidavit in which the offer of proof is stated.
(2) If the court finds that the offer of proof is sufficient, the
court shall order a hearing out of the presence of the jury, and
at the hearing allow the questioning of the victim or witness
regarding the offer of proof made by the defendant or the state.
At the conclusion of the hearing, if the court finds that evidence
proposed to be offered by the defendant or the state regarding the
sexual conduct of the victim or witness is admissible under
subsection (b) of this section, the court shall make an order stating
what evidence may be introduced by the defendant or the state and
the nature of the questions to be permitted. The defendant or the state
may then offer evidence under the order of the court.
(d) If new information is discovered within ten (10) days before
trial or during the course of the trial that might make evidence
described in subsection (b) of this chapter admissible, the judge shall
order a hearing out of the presence of the jury to determine whether
the proposed evidence is admissible under this chapter.
(e) This section does not limit the right of either the state or the
accused to impeach credibility by a showing of prior felony
convictions.
(f) If:
(1) a defendant files a motion under subsection (c)(1)
concerning evidence described in subsection (b)(3); and
(2) the state acknowledges that the victim's pregnancy is not due
to the conduct of the defendant;
the court shall instruct the jury that the victim's pregnancy is not due
to the conduct of the defendant. However, other evidence concerning
the pregnancy may not be admitted, and further reference to the
pregnancy may not be made in the presence of the jury.
As added by Acts 1981, P.L.298, SEC.6. Amended by P.L.322-1983,
SEC.1.
IC 35-37-4-5
Evidence unlawfully obtained by officer in good faith; exclusion
Sec. 5. (a) In a prosecution for a crime or a proceeding to enforce
an ordinance or a statute defining an infraction, the court may not
grant a motion to exclude evidence on the grounds that the search or
seizure by which the evidence was obtained was unlawful if the
evidence was obtained by a law enforcement officer in good faith.
(b) For purposes of this section, evidence is obtained by a law
enforcement officer in good faith if:
(1) it is obtained pursuant to:
(A) a search warrant that was properly issued upon a
determination of probable cause by a neutral and detached
magistrate, that is free from obvious defects other than
nondeliberate errors made in its preparation, and that was
reasonably believed by the law enforcement officer to be
valid; or
(B) a state statute, judicial precedent, or court rule that is
later declared unconstitutional or otherwise invalidated; and
(2) the law enforcement officer, at the time he obtains the
evidence, has satisfied applicable minimum basic training
requirements established by rules adopted by the law
enforcement training board under IC 5-2-1-9.
(c) This section does not affect the right of a person to bring a
civil action against a law enforcement officer or a governmental
entity to recover damages for the violation of his rights by an
unlawful search and seizure.
As added by P.L.323-1983, SEC.1.
IC 35-37-4-6
Application of section; "protected person" defined; admissibility
of statement or videotape; notice to defendant; jury instructions
Sec. 6. (a) This section applies to a criminal action involving the
following offenses where the victim is a protected person under
subsection (c)(1) or (c)(2):
(1) Sex crimes (IC 35-42-4).
(2) Battery upon a child (IC 35-42-2-1(a)(2)(B)).
(3) Kidnapping and confinement (IC 35-42-3).
(4) Incest (IC 35-46-1-3).
(5) Neglect of a dependent (IC 35-46-1-4).
(6) Human and sexual trafficking crimes (IC 35-42-3.5).
(7) An attempt under IC 35-41-5-1 for an offense listed in
subdivisions (1) through (6).
(b) This section applies to a criminal action involving the
following offenses where the victim is a protected person under
subsection (c)(3):
(1) Exploitation of a dependent or endangered adult (IC
35-46-1-12).
(2) A sex crime (IC 35-42-4).
(3) Battery (IC 35-42-2-1).
(4) Kidnapping, confinement, or interference with custody (IC
35-42-3).
(5) Home improvement fraud (IC 35-43-6).
(6) Fraud (IC 35-43-5).
(7) Identity deception (IC 35-43-5-3.5).
(8) Synthetic identity deception (IC 35-43-5-3.8).
(9) Theft (IC 35-43-4-2).
(10) Conversion (IC 35-43-4-3).
(11) Neglect of a dependent (IC 35-46-1-4).
(12) Human and sexual trafficking crimes (IC 35-42-3.5).
(c) As used in this section, "protected person" means:
(1) a child who is less than fourteen (14) years of age;
(2) an individual with a mental disability who has a disability
attributable to an impairment of general intellectual functioning
or adaptive behavior that:
(A) is manifested before the individual is eighteen (18) years
of age;
(B) is likely to continue indefinitely;
(C) constitutes a substantial impairment of the individual's
ability to function normally in society; and
(D) reflects the individual's need for a combination and
sequence of special, interdisciplinary, or generic care,
treatment, or other services that are of lifelong or extended
duration and are individually planned and coordinated; or
(3) an individual who is:
(A) at least eighteen (18) years of age; and
(B) incapable by reason of mental illness, mental retardation,
dementia, or other physical or mental incapacity of:
(i) managing or directing the management of the
individual's property; or
(ii) providing or directing the provision of self-care.
(d) A statement or videotape that:
(1) is made by a person who at the time of trial is a protected
person;
(2) concerns an act that is a material element of an offense
listed in subsection (a) or (b) that was allegedly committed
against the person; and
(3) is not otherwise admissible in evidence;
is admissible in evidence in a criminal action for an offense listed in
subsection (a) or (b) if the requirements of subsection (e) are met.
(e) A statement or videotape described in subsection (d) is
admissible in evidence in a criminal action listed in subsection (a) or
(b) if, after notice to the defendant of a hearing and of the defendant's
right to be present, all of the following conditions are met:
(1) The court finds, in a hearing:
(A) conducted outside the presence of the jury; and
(B) attended by the protected person;
that the time, content, and circumstances of the statement or
videotape provide sufficient indications of reliability.
(2) The protected person:
(A) testifies at the trial; or
(B) is found by the court to be unavailable as a witness for
one (1) of the following reasons:
(i) From the testimony of a psychiatrist, physician, or
psychologist, and other evidence, if any, the court finds
that the protected person's testifying in the physical
presence of the defendant will cause the protected person
to suffer serious emotional distress such that the protected
person cannot reasonably communicate.
(ii) The protected person cannot participate in the trial for
medical reasons.
(iii) The court has determined that the protected person is
incapable of understanding the nature and obligation of an
oath.
(f) If a protected person is unavailable to testify at the trial for a
reason listed in subsection (e)(2)(B), a statement or videotape may
be admitted in evidence under this section only if the protected
person was available for cross-examination:
(1) at the hearing described in subsection (e)(1); or
(2) when the statement or videotape was made.
(g) A statement or videotape may not be admitted in evidence
under this section unless the prosecuting attorney informs the
defendant and the defendant's attorney at least ten (10) days before
the trial of:
(1) the prosecuting attorney's intention to introduce the
statement or videotape in evidence; and
(2) the content of the statement or videotape.
(h) If a statement or videotape is admitted in evidence under this
section, the court shall instruct the jury that it is for the jury to
determine the weight and credit to be given the statement or
videotape and that, in making that determination, the jury shall
consider the following:
(1) The mental and physical age of the person making the
statement or videotape.
(2) The nature of the statement or videotape.
(3) The circumstances under which the statement or videotape
was made.
(4) Other relevant factors.
(i) If a statement or videotape described in subsection (d) is
admitted into evidence under this section, a defendant may introduce
a:
(1) transcript; or
(2) videotape;
of the hearing held under subsection (e)(1) into evidence at trial.
As added by P.L.180-1984, SEC.1. Amended by P.L.316-1985,
SEC.1; P.L.37-1990, SEC.22; P.L.23-1993, SEC.161; P.L.142-1994,
SEC.7; P.L.43-2004, SEC.1; P.L.2-2005, SEC.120; P.L.173-2006,
SEC.48; P.L.99-2007, SEC.207; P.L.137-2009, SEC.10.
IC 35-37-4-7
Pecuniary loss or gain; proof
Sec. 7. Whenever an element of an offense involves a pecuniary
loss or a pecuniary gain, then the element shall be established by
proof of the fair market value of the property at the time of the
offense.
As added by P.L.320-1985, SEC.2.
IC 35-37-4-8
Application of section; testimony of protected person; closed
circuit television; videotape; notice to defendant
Sec. 8. (a) This section applies to a criminal action under the
following:
(1) Sex crimes (IC 35-42-4).
(2) Battery upon a child (IC 35-42-2-1(a)(2)(B)).
(3) Kidnapping and confinement (IC 35-42-3).
(4) Incest (IC 35-46-1-3).
(5) Neglect of a dependent (IC 35-46-1-4).
(6) Human and sexual trafficking crimes (IC 35-42-3.5).
(7) An attempt under IC 35-41-5-1 for an offense listed in
subdivisions (1) through (6).
(b) As used in this section, "protected person" has the meaning set
forth in section 6 of this chapter.
(c) On the motion of the prosecuting attorney, the court may order
that the testimony of a protected person be taken in a room other than
the courtroom, and that the questioning of the protected person by
the prosecution and the defense be transmitted using a two-way
closed circuit television arrangement that:
(1) allows the protected person to see the accused and the trier
of fact; and
(2) allows the accused and the trier of fact to see and hear the
protected person.
(d) On the motion of the prosecuting attorney or the defendant,
the court may order that the testimony of a protected person be
videotaped for use at trial. The videotaping of the testimony of a
protected person under this subsection must meet the requirements
of subsection (c).
(e) The court may not make an order under subsection (c) or (d)
unless:
(1) the testimony to be taken is the testimony of a protected
person who:
(A) is the alleged victim of an offense listed in subsection (a)
for which the defendant is being tried or is a witness in a
trial for an offense listed in subsection (a); and
(B) is found by the court to be a protected person who
should be permitted to testify outside the courtroom because:
(i) the court finds from the testimony of a psychiatrist,
physician, or psychologist and any other evidence that the
protected person's testifying in the physical presence of the
defendant would cause the protected person to suffer
serious emotional harm and the court finds that the
protected person could not reasonably communicate in the
physical presence of the defendant to the trier of fact;
(ii) a physician has certified that the protected person
cannot be present in the courtroom for medical reasons; or
(iii) evidence has been introduced concerning the effect of
the protected person's testifying in the physical presence
of the defendant, and the court finds that it is more likely
than not that the protected person's testifying in the
physical presence of the defendant creates a substantial
likelihood of emotional or mental harm to the protected
person;
(2) the prosecuting attorney has informed the defendant and the
defendant's attorney of the intention to have the protected
person testify outside the courtroom; and
(3) the prosecuting attorney informed the defendant and the
defendant's attorney under subdivision (2) at least ten (10) days
before the trial of the prosecuting attorney's intention to have
the protected person testify outside the courtroom.
(f) If the court makes an order under subsection (c), only the
following persons may be in the same room as the protected person
during the protected person's testimony:
(1) A defense attorney if:
(A) the defendant is represented by the defense attorney; and
(B) the prosecuting attorney is also in the same room.
(2) The prosecuting attorney if:
(A) the defendant is represented by a defense attorney; and
(B) the defense attorney is also in the same room.
(3) Persons necessary to operate the closed circuit television
equipment.
(4) Persons whose presence the court finds will contribute to the
protected person's well-being.
(5) A court bailiff or court representative.
(g) If the court makes an order under subsection (d), only the
following persons may be in the same room as the protected person
during the protected person's videotaped testimony:
(1) The judge.
(2) The prosecuting attorney.
(3) The defendant's attorney (or the defendant, if the defendant
is not represented by an attorney).
(4) Persons necessary to operate the electronic equipment.
(5) The court reporter.
(6) Persons whose presence the court finds will contribute to the
protected person's well-being.
(7) The defendant, who can observe and hear the testimony of
the protected person with the protected person being able to
observe or hear the defendant. However, if the defendant is not
represented by an attorney, the defendant may question the
protected person.
(h) If the court makes an order under subsection (c) or (d), only
the following persons may question the protected person:
(1) The prosecuting attorney.
(2) The defendant's attorney (or the defendant, if the defendant
is not represented by an attorney).
(3) The judge.
As added by P.L.203-1986, SEC.2. Amended by P.L.37-1990,
SEC.23; P.L.142-1994, SEC.8; P.L.2-2005, SEC.121; P.L.173-2006,
SEC.49.
IC 35-37-4-9
Certificates of title; certified copies as prima facie evidence of title
Sec. 9. (a) As used in this section, "certified copy of a certificate
of title" means a document that is:
(1) a copy of a certificate of title for a motor vehicle, by
whatever name designated, that is issued by the bureau of motor
vehicles or a governmental entity in another state;
(2) prepared from a record of the governmental entity issuing
the certificate of title; and
(3) certified by the officer having legal custody of the record
described in subdivision (2) or the officer's deputy.
(b) In a criminal proceeding, a certified copy of a certificate of
title is prima facie evidence of the ownership of a motor vehicle.
As added by P.L.136-1987, SEC.3.
IC 35-37-4-10
Repealed
(Repealed by P.L.1-1991, SEC.192.)
IC 35-37-4-11
Safeguarding victim from contact with accused and relatives of
accused; waiting areas
Sec. 11. (a) During court proceedings a court shall provide
safeguards necessary to minimize the contact of the victim of an
offense or delinquent act with:
(1) a defendant accused of the offense or a juvenile accused of
committing the delinquent act; and
(2) the relatives and friends of:
(A) a defendant accused of the offense; or
(B) a juvenile accused of committing the delinquent act.
(b) The safeguards required under subsection (a) may include
courthouse waiting areas for victims that are separated from those
waiting areas specified for defendants, juveniles alleged to be
delinquent children, and the relatives and friends of accused persons.
(c) A county is not required under this section, or by mandate of
a court, to expend any funds to change the physical configuration of
a courthouse in the county to meet the requirements of this section.
As added by P.L.36-1990, SEC.10.
IC 35-37-4-12
Physical safety of victim or victim's family in danger; exclusion of
evidence; disclosure to court
Sec. 12. (a) If the physical safety of a victim or the victim's
immediate family is in danger, a victim may not be required to give
personal information during the course of sworn testimony regarding
the following:
(1) Telephone numbers.
(2) Place of employment.
(3) Residential address.
(b) In any hearing to determine the introduction into evidence of
the personal information specified in subsection (a), the court, if the
court finds an actual danger to the victim or the victim's immediate
family exists, may require the party possessing the personal
information to disclose the personal information to the court for in
camera review.
As added by P.L.1-1991, SEC.193.
IC 35-37-4-13
"Forensic DNA analysis" defined; admissibility
Sec. 13. (a) As used in this section, "forensic DNA analysis"
means an identification process in which the unique genetic code of
an individual that is carried by the individual's deoxyribonucleic acid
(DNA) is compared to genetic codes carried in DNA found in bodily
substance samples obtained by a law enforcement agency in the
exercise of the law enforcement agency's investigative function.
(b) In a criminal trial or hearing, the results of forensic DNA
analysis are admissible in evidence without antecedent expert
testimony that forensic DNA analysis provides a trustworthy and
reliable method of identifying characteristics in an individual's
genetic material.
As added by P.L.1-1991, SEC.194.
IC 35-37-4-14
Evidence of a previous battery
Sec. 14. (a) This section applies even if no criminal charges were
filed concerning the act that is the basis of the evidence of a previous
battery.
(b) As used in this section, "evidence of a previous battery" means
evidence that a person charged with a crime described in subsection
(c)(1) through (c)(3) committed a prior unrelated act of battery or
attempted battery on the victim of a crime described in subsection
(c)(1) through (c)(3) within five (5) years before the person allegedly
committed the crime described in subsection (c)(1) through (c)(3).
(c) In a prosecution for:
(1) battery (IC 35-42-2-1);
(2) aggravated battery (IC 35-42-2-1.5);
(3) murder (IC 35-42-1-1); or
(4) voluntary manslaughter (IC 35-42-1-3);
evidence of a previous battery is admissible into evidence in the
state's case-in-chief for purposes of proving motive, intent, identity,
or common scheme and design.
(d) If the state proposes to offer evidence described in subsection
(b), the following procedure must be followed:
(1) The state shall file a written motion not less than ten (10)
days before trial stating that the state has an offer of proof
concerning evidence described in subsection (b) and the
relevancy of the evidence to the case. The motion must be
accompanied by an affidavit in which the offer of proof is
stated.
(2) If the court finds that the offer of proof is sufficient, the
court shall order a hearing out of the presence of the jury. At the
hearing, the court shall allow the questioning of the victim or
witness regarding the offer of proof made by the state.
At the conclusion of the hearing, if the court finds that evidence
proposed to be offered by the state is admissible, the court shall make
an order stating what evidence may be introduced by the state and the
nature of the questions to be permitted. The state may then offer
evidence under the order of the court.
(e) This section shall not be construed to limit the admissibility of
evidence of a previous battery in any civil or criminal proceeding.
As added by P.L.213-1991, SEC.1.
IC 35-37-4-15
Child molestation; evidence of prior acts
Sec. 15. (a) In a prosecution for child molesting under
IC 35-42-4-3, a prosecution for incest under IC 35-46-1-3, or a
prosecution for an attempt or a conspiracy to commit child molesting
or incest, evidence that the defendant has committed another crime
or act of child molesting or incest or attempted or conspired to
commit another crime or act of child molesting or incest:
(1) against the same victim; or
(2) that involves a similar crime or act of child molesting or
incest against a different victim;
is admissible.
(b) If the state proposes to offer evidence described under
subsection (a), the state must disclose the evidence to the defendant,
including statements made by witnesses or a summary of the
substance of any testimony that is expected to be offered at the
defendant's trial:
(1) at least fifteen (15) days before the date the defendant's trial
is scheduled to begin; or
(2) at a later date as determined by the court for good cause.
(c) The court shall hold a hearing out of the presence of the jury
regarding the admissibility of the evidence described under
subsection (a). Even if the court determines that the evidence is
relevant, the evidence may be excluded if the probative value of the
evidence is substantially outweighed by:
(1) the danger of:
(A) unfair prejudice;
(B) confusion of the issues; or
(C) misleading the jury; or
(2) considerations of:
(A) undue delay;
(B) waste of time; or
(C) needless presentation of cumulative evidence.
However, if the court finds that all or some of the evidence is
admissible, the court shall enter an order stating what evidence may
be introduced.
(d) This section may not be construed to limit the right to
introduce evidence at a trial that would otherwise be admissible to
prove any of the following:
(1) Motive.
(2) Opportunity.
(3) Intent.
(4) Plan.
(5) Knowledge.
(6) Identity.
(7) Absence of mistake or accident.
As added by P.L.232-1993, SEC.2.