Home > Committees & Commissions > Advisory Committee on Evidence Retention

Advisory Committee on Evidence Retention
Because courts have historically been paper-based while advances in available technologies for electronically stored evidence continue to evolve, a review of evidence retention and disposition systems and policies are necessary. To this end, the Advisory Committee on Evidence Retention (ACER), was established by Administrative Order 2024-27.

The Advisory Committee on Evidence retention will aid the Arizona Judicial Branch in furthering the stated purpose of the Arizona Rules of Evidence, which includes “eliminat[ing] unjustificable expense and delay” in dealing with evidence. The Committee will also provide clear direction to court personnel responsible for the practical application of the records retention and disposition schedules when managing the storage and disposition of evidence, including electronically stored evidence. The Committee will examine and make recommendations on whether:
  1. The Arizona Rules of Court provide clear direction to court personnel responsible for practically applying the records retention and disposition schedules when managing the storage and disposition of evidence, including electronically stored evidence.
  2. The records retention and disposition schedules in the Arizona Code of Judicial Administration (ACJA) §§ 2-101, 2-201, 3-402, and 4-302 provide clear direction for practically applying the schedules when managing the storage and disposition of evidence, including electronically stored evidence. Making recommendations to the Committee on Continuing Education and Training (COJET) and the AJC regarding training and education for judges and court personnel on victims’ rights and appropriate treatment of victims;
  3. Existing policies provide clear direction for practically applying the records retention and disposition schedules when managing the storage and disposition of evidence, including electronically stored evidence, submitted in hearings or at trial after the case has been adjudicated.
  4. Amendments to the records retention and disposition schedules in ACJA §§ 2-101, 2-201, 3-402, and 4-302, and the disposition guidance provided in Administrative Order 2021-142(2)(j), are necessary to account for advances in technology.
  5. Updates to existing authorities are necessary to allow a judge to take judicial notice of evidence that was previously admitted in evidence in a prior hearing.
committee meeting

Next Committee Meeting

May

13

1:00 PM 

Conference Room 331

Join Zoom Webinar
Conference call: 602-753-0140
Meeting ID: 943 6277 7449

Passcode: 807482

To RSVP please email [email protected].

 

General Public

You may attend the meetings in person or by conference call. If joining by conference call, please ensure that your telephone is muted. Do not place the call on hold. The “Call to the Public” portion of the agenda is provided for public comment. Each public comment is limited to 3 minutes.
Call to the Public

You may address the committee by submitting (1) your name, (2) who you are representing, and (3) subject you wish to speak about. The Chair will call the name of each person when it is time to speak. Please listen to those who go before you and try to avoid repeating statements.
       

 

Contact Us
 
For general inquiries, please feel free to contact committee support staff at:
 
[email protected]
(602) 452-3358
Arizona Supreme Court
Administrative Office of the Courts
1501 W. Washington St., Suite 410
Phoenix, AZ 85007