Tuesday, Aug. 9, 2011 | 6:08 p.m.
CARSON CITY – The Nevada Supreme Court has set Sept. 8 for a hearing on a proposed rule to permit individuals to appear through audio-visual links in both civil and criminal trials.
Attorneys, witnesses and litigants are now allowed to participate by telephone link at routine court hearings. This would expand that rule.
"Through the use of audio-visual technology judges, juries, defendants and litigants would have the ability to interact with the person at the other end of the video link just as if they were in the courtroom," Chief Justice Michael Douglas said Tuesday.
The proposed rule would permit the video link appearances in civil trials and hearings, including family law matters; criminal trials, penalty hearings and preliminary hearings; hearing on restraining orders; settlement conferences and any proceeding agreed to by the parties and approved by the court.
Personal appearances would still be required of persons facing sanctions for violation of court orders; applicants seeking certain ex-parte orders and individuals ordered to show up in an order issued under the law on wills and estates.
Video appearance would not be permitted in juvenile and appeal court hearings.
The proposed rule is being examined because, in part, of the wide distances between communities and the additional cost rural residents would incur for attorneys and expert witnesses.
Lawyers in Reno and Las Vegas complain it's difficult to practice at the other end of the state due to travel and other expenses.
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