HB1447: relative to the use of video conferencing for arraignments.

HB 1447 - AS INTRODUCED

2018 SESSION

18-2178

04/03

HOUSE BILL 1447

AN ACT relative to the use of video conferencing for arraignments.

SPONSORS: Rep. Horn, Merr. 2; Rep. Kotowski, Merr. 24

COMMITTEE: Criminal Justice and Public Safety

ANALYSIS

This bill establishes procedures for using video conferencing for arraignments in criminal cases.

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Explanation: Matter added to current law appears in bold italics.

Matter removed from current law appears [in brackets and struckthrough.]

Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.

18-2178

04/03

STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Eighteen

AN ACT relative to the use of video conferencing for arraignments.

Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:

1 New Section; Criminal Procedure in Superior Court; Video Conferencing for Arraignments. Amend RSA 592-B by inserting after section 9 the following new section:

592-B:10 Video Conferencing for Arraignments. In cases where the defendant is incarcerated and adequate video conferencing facilities are available, arraignments shall be conducted with the defendant remaining at the correctional facility and communicating with the court and counsel through the use of such facilities. "Adequate video conferencing facilities" shall, at a minimum, operate so as to enable the court and all parties to view and converse with each other simultaneously, and for the defendant to communicate privately with defense counsel. The court may, for good cause shown and stated on the record, require the defendant's physical presence in court.

2 Effective Date. This act shall take effect 60 days after its passage.