Title 10
Courts and Civil Procedure — Procedure in Particular Actions

Chapter 9.1
Post Conviction Remedy

§ 10-9.1-12. Innocence protection — DNA testing of evidence.

(a) Mandatory testing. After notice to the prosecution and a hearing, a justice of the superior court shall order testing after finding that:

(1) A reasonable probability exists that petitioner would not have been prosecuted or convicted if exculpatory results had been obtained through DNA testing.

(2) The evidence is still in existence and is capable of being subjected to DNA testing.

(3) The evidence, or a specific portion of the evidence identified by the petitioner, was never previously subjected to DNA testing; or that the testing requested by the petitioner may resolve an issue that was never previously resolved by previous testing.

(4) The petition before the Superior Court was filed in order to demonstrate the petitioner’s innocence and not to delay the administration of justice.

(b) Discretionary testing. After notice to the prosecution and a hearing, a justice of the superior court may order testing after finding that:

(1) A reasonable probability exists that the requested testing will produce DNA results which would have altered the verdict or reduced the petitioner’s sentence if the results had been available at the prior proceedings leading to the judgment of conviction.

(2) The evidence is still in existence and is capable of being subjected to DNA testing.

(3) The evidence, or a specific portion of the evidence identified by the petitioner was never previously subjected to DNA testing; or that the testing requested by the petitioner may resolve an issue that was never previously resolved by previous testing.

(4) The petition before the superior court was filed in order to demonstrate the petitioner’s innocence and not to delay the administration of justice.

(c) Costs. Unless the justice hearing the motion finds that the defendant has the present ability to pay the costs associated with DNA testing, the justice shall order that the state of Rhode Island pay for the costs of the DNA testing ordered under this chapter. Unless good cause is shown, all testing ordered under this section shall be conducted by the Rhode Island department of health.