WEST virginia legislature
2018 regular session
Introduced
House Bill 4252
By Delegate R. Miller, Campbell, Canestraro, Eldridge, Maynard and Isner
[Introduced January
22, 2018; Referred
to the Committee on the Judiciary.]
A BILL to amend and reenact §57-5-4 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to authorizing the prosecuting attorney to issue a subpoena duces tecum for documents deemed material to a criminal investigation.
Be it enacted by the Legislature of West Virginia:
ARTICLE 5. MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS.
§57-5-4. Production of writings -- By person other than party.
When it appears by
affidavit or otherwise that a writing or document in the possession of any
person not a party to the matter in controversy is material and proper to be
produced before the court, or any person appointed by it or acting under its
process or authority, or any such person as is named in §57-5-1 of this code,
such court, family law master court judge, judge or president
thereof may order the clerk of the said court to issue a subpoena duces tecum
to compel such production at a time and place to be specified in the order. Notwithstanding
any other section of this code, the prosecuting attorney may issue a subpoena
duces tecum in aid of a criminal investigation for documents the prosecuting
attorney considers material to a criminal investigation.
NOTE: The purpose of this bill is to authorize the prosecuting attorney to issue a subpoena duces tecum for documents deemed material while conducting a criminal investigation.
Strike-throughs indicate language that would be stricken from a heading or the present law and underscoring indicates new language that would be added.