Rule 34A.02: Other Spoliation.

Rule 37 sanctions may be imposed upon a party or an agent of a party who discards, destroys, mutilates, alters, or conceals evidence.{Amended by order filed December 29, 2005, effective July 1, 2006.]

Advisory Commission Comments [1992].

Concern over destructive testing of real evidence prompted this addition to the Rules of Civil Procedure. If one party's expert destroys a tangible thing in testing, the opponent will be deprived of similar testing and may be without evidence to support a claim or defense. Requiring a motion, which would put the opponent on notice, and giving the court discretion to set conditions should prevent an unjust result. The rule applies, however, only where a civil action has been commenced.

Advisory Commission Comments [1994].

The amendment provides for destruction or other disposition in addition to testing.

Advisory Commission Comment [2006].

The rule has a new, broader heading. Rule 34A.02 is new. Also, Rule 37 sanctions are made available against offenders. Those sanctions include, at 37.02, refusal to allow claims or defenses; even dismissal of a plaintiff’s complaint and entry of default judgment against a defendant are possible.