What is required under the Code of Professional Responsibility regarding the Michael Morton Act?

The Code of Professional Responsibility requires that lab management implement a written disclosure policy under the Michael Morton Act. This act emphasizes the importance of transparency and accountability in forensic laboratories, specifically in the context of disclosing evidence that could be favorable to the defense in criminal cases. A written disclosure policy serves as a formalized guideline, ensuring that all relevant findings and information are shared appropriately with all parties involved, thereby upholding ethical standards in legal procedures.

The necessity for a written policy is rooted in the aims of the act to prevent wrongful convictions and to maintain the integrity of the justice system. It ensures that laboratory processes are standardized and that disclosures are not left to the discretion of individual analysts, which can lead to inconsistency and potential ethical dilemmas.

While aspects of public understanding and high-profile cases may involve disclosure, the requirement for a formal policy that governs these practices is more foundational to the ethical framework set forth by the Michael Morton Act. Therefore, recognizing that all forensic findings must be systematically managed through written policy reflects the serious commitment to ethical oversight in forensic analysis.