Court Opinion

ID: 9766146
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-29 04:34:34.993773+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T07:30:19.599847
License: Public Domain

MONTGOMERY, Judge
(dissenting).
I respectfully dissent because Criminal Code, Section 110 provides in detail the method by which the testimony given before the grand jury shall be preserved. This opinion, in effect, nullifies the provisions of this section and opens the way for *865the use of devices which are not authorized by the Code and which were not contemplated at the time of its adoption. The next innovation in violation of Criminal Code, Section 110 will be a motion picture camera with sound attachment.
My objection is directed to the lack of authority for such devices. Until the General Assembly sees fit to authorize such devices, I feel that they should be prohibited. In this connection, the General Assembly has enacted KRS 28.435(1), which, obviously, refers to a trial and not to a grand jury proceeding and, therefore, has no place in this case except that it indicates that the General Assembly was not ready to authorize the use of such a device before a grand jury.
The use of the recording device is not surrounded by the safeguards of the Criminal Code. The stenographer is required to qualify by taking an oath for the faithful discharge of the duties as such and is sworn “not to disclose, or make known, directly or indirectly, to any person or persons, anything that occurred, was stated or given in the evidence, or transpired, bearing upon any case or investigation before the grand jury”! In addition, a correct and full transcript of the testimony taken must be made. There are no such safeguards surrounding the use of a recording device which would prevent a full disclosure to any stranger who might chance upon it or a part of the testimony from being deleted.
There is the further objection that the use of such recording device enables the Commonwealth’s attorney to deny any person indicted by a grand jury the right to procure a copy of the stenographic record, or any part thereof.
The provisions of the Criminal Code with reference to the grand jury, its powers and duties, have been carefully drawn to insure the secrecy of its proceedings and the protection of its members, the accused, or any innocent person investigated by it. Criminal Code, Section 110 should not be cast aside and the use of an unauthorized device in violation thereof should not be permitted.