AL HB14

Authorizes the presiding judge of each judicial circuit to create guidelines allowing pretrial motion hearings in civil, criminal, and probate cases to be conducted by telephone conferencing or audio-video telecommunications.

Requires the presiding judge to develop and publish procedures for conducting these remote hearings in circuit courts, district courts, and probate courts within their judicial circuit.

Mandates that any telephone or audio-video telecommunications device used must enable the judge and all parties to converse simultaneously with each other.

Becomes effective on January 1 of the year following passage and approval by the Governor or otherwise becoming law.

Passed the House on February 23, 2012 with a vote of 98 Yeas, 0 Nays, and 0 Abstains.