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Tex. Gov't Code § 420.074

DISCLOSURE OF PRIVILEGED COMMUNICATIONS OR OTHER INFORMATION IN CRIMINAL PROCEEDING

Known as the Sexual Assault Prevention and Crisis Services Act

The act spans §§ 420.001 to 420.108 (44 sections).

Added by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 775, Sec. 2, eff

(a) Subject to the provisions of this chapter, not later than the 30th day before the date of the trial, a defendant in a criminal proceeding may make a motion for disclosure of a communication or record that is privileged under this chapter. The motion must include a supporting affidavit showing reasonable grounds to believe the privileged communication or record contains exculpatory evidence.

(b) The defendant shall serve the motion on the attorney representing the state and the person who holds the privilege with regard to the communication or record at issue.

(c) The court shall order the privileged communication or record to be produced for the court under seal and shall examine the communication or record in camera if the court finds by a preponderance of the evidence that:

(1) there is a good-faith, specific, and reasonable basis for believing that the privileged communication or record is relevant, material, and exculpatory upon the issue of guilt for the offense charged; and

(2) the privileged communication or record would not be duplicative of other evidence or information available or already obtained by the defendant.

(d) The court shall disclose to the defendant and to the state only the evidence that the court finds to be exculpatory on the issue of guilt for the offense charged.

Official source: Texas Constitution and Statutes. Reproduced from public-domain Texas statutes; confirm against the official source for the current text. Not legal advice.