Courts

SPMGR 19 Proceedings by Video Conference or Teleconference

(a) Criminal Matters:

• (1) Video Conference
  • (A) Preliminary appearances as defined by CrR 3.2(B) and CrRLJ 3.2.1(d), arraignments as defined by CrR 3.4 and 4.1 and CrRLJ 3.4 and 4.1, bail hearings as defined by CrR 3.2 and CrRLJ 3.2, and trial settings as defined in CrRLJ 3.3(f), conducted via video conference in which all participants can simultaneously see, hear, and speak with each other shall be deemed held in open court and in the defendant’s presence for the purposes of any statute, court rule, or policy. All video conference hearings conducted pursuant to this rule shall be public, and the public shall be able to simultaneously see and hear all participants and speak as permitted by the Court. Any party may request an in-person hearing under this section, which may be granted at the Court’s discretion.
  • (B) Other trial court proceedings including the entry of a Statement of Defendant on Plea of Guilty as defined by CrRLJ 4.2 may be conducted by video conference only by agreement of the parties, either in writing or on the record, and upon the approval of the Court pursuant to this local court rule.
  • (C) The judge, counsel, all parties, and the public must be able to see and hear each other during video proceedings, and may speak as permitted by the Court. Video conference facilities must provide for confidential communications between attorney and client and sufficient security to protect the safety of all participants and observers. In interpreted proceedings, the interpreter must be located next to the defendant and the proceeding must be conducted as to assure that the interpreter can hear all participants.
  • (D) For purposes of video conference proceedings, the facsimile or electronic signatures of the defendant, counsel, interested parties, and the Court will be treated as if they were an physical signature. This includes all orders on Judgment and Sentence, No Contact Orders, Statements of Defendant on Plea of Guilty, and other documents or pleadings as the Court shall determine are appropriate or necessary.
• (2) Teleconference:
  • (A) Hearings on motion to modify financial obligations may be conducted telephonically upon written request of the defendant.
  • (B) Hearings of any other type will not be conducted by telephone without prior approval of the Judge on a showing of good cause as to why the Court's video conferencing system would not suffice.

(b) Infraction Matters:

• (1) Definitions:
  • (A) "Infraction matters" shall be deemed to include traffic infractions, non-traffic infractions, photo enforcement infractions, and parking infractions.
• (2) Hearings on motions may be conducted telephonically upon approval of the Court.
• (3) Hearings of any other type will not be conducted by telephone without prior approval of the Judge on a showing of good cause.

(Adopted June 29, 2018; effective Sept. 1, 2018; amended effective Sept. 1, 2019; amended effective Sept. 1, 2021; amended effective Sept. 1, 2023)