ARS 13-4433: Victim’s right to refuse an interview

A. Unless the victim consents, the victim shall not be compelled to submit to an interview on any matter, including any charged criminal offense witnessed by the victim and that occurred on the same occasion as the offense against the victim, or filed in the same indictment or information or consolidated for trial, that is conducted by the defendant, the defendant’s attorney or an agent of the defendant.

B. The defendant, the defendant’s attorney or an agent of the defendant shall only initiate contact with the victim through the prosecutor’s office. The prosecutor’s office shall promptly inform the victim of the defendant’s request for an interview and shall advise the victim of the victim’s right to refuse the interview.

C. The prosecutor shall not be required to forward any correspondence from the defendant, the defendant’s attorney or an agent of the defendant to the victim or the victim’s representative.

D. If the victim consents to an interview, the prosecutor’s office shall inform the defendant, the defendant’s attorney or an agent of the defendant of the time and place the victim has selected for the interview. If the victim wishes to impose other conditions on the interview, the prosecutor’s office shall inform the defendant, the defendant’s attorney or an agent of the defendant of the conditions. The victim has the right to terminate the interview at any time or to refuse to answer any question during the interview. The prosecutor has standing at the request of the victim to protect the victim from harassment, intimidation or abuse and, pursuant to that standing, may seek any appropriate protective court order.

E. Unless otherwise directed by the victim, the prosecutor may attend all interviews. If a transcript or tape recording of the interview is made and on request of the prosecutor, the prosecutor shall receive a copy of the transcript or tape recording at the prosecutor’s expense.

F. If the defendant or the defendant’s attorney comments at trial on the victim’s refusal to be interviewed, the court shall instruct the jury that the victim has the right to refuse an interview under the Arizona Constitution.

G. This section applies to the parent or legal guardian of a minor child who exercises victims’ rights on behalf of the minor child. Notwithstanding subsection E of this section, the defendant, the defendant’s attorney or an agent of the defendant may not interview a minor child who has agreed to an interview, even if the minor child’s parent or legal guardian initiates contact with the defendant, the defendant’s attorney or an agent of the defendant, unless the prosecutor has actual notice at least five days in advance and the minor child is informed that the prosecutor may be present at the interview.

H. Except in cases involving a dismissal with prejudice or an acquittal, the right of a victim and a victim’s representative to refuse an interview, a deposition or any other discovery request related to the criminal case involving the victim by the defendant, the defendant’s attorney or any other person acting on behalf of the defendant remains enforceable beyond a final disposition of the charges. This subsection does not require any other right enumerated in article II, section 2.1, Constitution of Arizona, to remain enforceable beyond a final disposition as prescribed in section 13-4402, subsection A.