Calif; SB 1489 save courts expense of storage

Governor Signs Harman Measure To Provide Savings To Courts

For Immediate Release: September 7, 2012

Sacramento - Senator Tom Harman (R-Huntington Beach) announced that Senate Bill 1489 was signed into law (Chapter 283) by Governor Brown.
“During this time of economic austerity, every level of government should be looking to save money. SB 1489 is something that California courts want and need. I am pleased that the governor recognized the benefits and tremendous need for this cost-saving measure,” commented Harman.
Under current law, courts may destroy exhibits (not evidence, which is part of the file and must be retained) in death penalty cases after the defendant is executed. Under Senate Bill 1489, courts also would be permitted to destroy exhibits if a defendant dies before execution.  This makes the law consistent with a court’s existing authority for destroying exhibits.
Within California, there are more than 724 inmates condemned on death row. Since 1978, there have only been 14 executions; however, 82 non-execution deaths have occurred. This situation forces California courts to bear a tremendous financial burden in continuing to store and preserve physical exhibits and records that are no longer needed.
In some instances, exhibits can include mannequins used as models; stolen property; bullet-riddled vehicles; hazardous waste; residuals, contaminated glassware or byproducts of illicit chemical laboratories or similar operations that create a health or environmental hazard or cannot be safely stored.
“At a time when California courts are experiencing lay-offs, courtroom closures, and reductions in services, there has been an increased focus on implementing new cost-saving ideas to mitigate court funding challenges. SB 1489 is a simple way to save courts the expense of unnecessary storage,” said Harman.
SB 1489 was sponsored by the Honorable Judge Tom Borris, Orange County Superior Court.