Eyewitness Identification (HB 875)
Score:
0
%
Florida
2026
Sets statewide rules for police lineups to make eyewitness IDs more reliable. Officers must record the witness's first description, have evidence to include a suspect and can't rely only on facial recognition. Lineups must use similar non-suspects, be run by neutral methods, and are favored over show-ups or first-time in-court IDs. Witnesses get standard instructions and must state confidence. All procedures are audio/video recorded. Lawyers may observe. Aims to cut bad IDs and wrongful convictions.
Vote Yes on this bill if you want standardized, recorded, and neutral lineup rules, limits on facial recognition and show-ups, documented witness descriptions and confidence, attorney observation, and stronger safeguards to reduce misidentifications and wrongful convictions.
Organizations that support this bill may include civil liberties groups, innocence and wrongful conviction advocates, public defender associations, privacy and digital rights organizations, and criminal justice reform groups seeking more reliable identifications.
Supported By
Vote No on this bill if you want to preserve broader police and prosecutorial discretion, allow greater reliance on facial recognition and show-ups or first-time in-court IDs, and avoid added costs, paperwork, and recording requirements.
Organizations that oppose this bill may include police unions, some sheriffs' and chiefs' associations, prosecutors' associations, and vendors of facial recognition technology concerned about new limits and added procedures.
