The Federal Bureau of Investigation has announced a historic policy change where interrogations are to be recorded, according to a Justice Department memo obtained by Reuters.
The memo, released last week, puts an end to a more than 100-year-old policy that has prohibited federal law enforcement from recording interrogations of suspects held in custody. As of July 11, the FBI along with several other government agencies will record statements from those in custody before they appear in court.
The policy change is meant to make sure there is an "objective account of key investigations and interactions with people who are held in federal custody," Attorney General Eric Holder said Thursday, Reuters reported.
Other agencies to implement the policy change include the Drug Enforcement Administration, the U.S. Marshals Service and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Law enforcement at state and local levels already record interrogations.
Not all interrogations are to be recorded, however, including those the government determines would threaten public safety or national security, Reuters reported. The person being interviewed can also opt out of being recorded.
FBI interrogations are traditionally held with two agents- one who interviews the suspect and another who takes notes. The notes, which are later typed in a report, are usually the only record of the interview, according to the Wall Street Journal.
The policy change is a victory for defense attorneys who say the recording ban can lead to their clients being wrongfully accused. Lifting the ban would benefit both defendants and law enforcement, lawyers say.
"Recording interrogations protects the accused against police misconduct, protects law enforcement against false allegations, and protects public safety by ensuring a verbatim record of the interrogation process and any statements," Jerry Cox, president of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, said in a statement obtained by Reuters.
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