§12-1-24. Pretrial hearings in certain cases to be conducted by audio-video communications.

(a) The presiding judge of each judicial circuit may authorize pretrial motion hearings in civil and criminal matters in the circuit courts, district courts, and probate courts to be conducted by telephone conferencing or other audio-video telecommunications means. The presiding judge shall develop and publish procedures for the conduct of the civil and criminal hearings in the circuit courts, districts courts, and probate courts in his or her judicial circuit.

(b) The telephone or audio-video telecommunications device used in the hearing shall enable the judge and all parties to converse simultaneously with each other.

(Act 2012-499, p. 1470, §1.)