PART TWO CRIMINAL PROCEEDINGS
CHAPTER IX INITIATION OF INVESTIGATIONS AND CRIMINAL PROCEEDINGS
SUB – CHAPTER IV INITIATION OF CRIMINAL PROCEEDINGS
C. TAKING PRE-INDICTMENT EVIDENCE
Article 117
Obtaining Evidence Prior to Pretrial Testimony
1. The state prosecutor shall obtain all relevant documentary evidence in accordance with the
law, if possible prior to taking pretrial testimony. Such documentary evidence shall include, but
is not limited to:
1.1. passport, identification cards, or records of border entry;
1.2. financial records;
1.3. surveillance records or photographs;
1.4. records of land ownership;
1.5. records of automobile ownership;
1.6. records of corporations or business entities;
1.7. electronic documents, such as email, text messages, or photographs;
1.8. medical records;
1.9. notes, diaries, or calendars; or
1.10. any other document that is lawfully obtained under this Code.
2. The state prosecutor shall lawfully obtain all tangible evidence, if possible prior to taking
relevant pretrial testimonial. Such tangible evidence shall include, but is not limited to:
2.1. tangible evidence obtained at the scene of the crime;
2.2. tangible evidence seized from the search of the premises of the defendant;
2.3. tangible evidence seized from the search of the person of the defendant prior to or
during his arrest;
2.4. photographs of or forensic reports about tangible evidence; or
2.5. any other tangible evidence lawfully obtained under this Code that is relevant to the
investigation.
3. The state prosecutor may receive documentary and tangible evidence after the termination or
conclusion of the investigation, if the request for the evidence was made prior to the termination
or conclusion of the investigation or if it was newly discovered evidence. The timing of the
receipt of this evidence will not affect its admissibility.