Courtroom Videoconferencing Act of 2022

Bill: 117-hr-6472
Sponsor: full_name: Rep. Morelle, Joseph D. [D-NY-25]
Introduced: 2022-01-21
Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement
Subjects: Cardiovascular and respiratory health

Criminal procedure and sentencing

Emergency medical services and trauma care

Infectious and parasitic diseases

Judicial procedure and administration

Lawyers and legal services

Sound recording

Telephone and wireless communication
Latest action: action_date: 2022-11-01
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Courts, Intellectual Property, and the Internet.

Summaries:
action_date: 2022-01-21
action_desc: Introduced in House
text: <p><b>Courtroom Videoconferencing Act of 2022</b></p> <p>This bill allows federal courts to authorize the use of video teleconferencing for certain criminal proceedings.</p>

tv_txt: I 117th CONGRESS 2d Session H. R. 6472 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES January 21, 2022 Mr. Morelle (for himself, Mrs. Fischbach , and Mr. Bacon ) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary A BILL To amend title 18, United States Code, to provide for video teleconferencing for certain criminal proceedings, and for other purposes.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Courtroom Videoconferencing Act of 2022 . 2. Sense of Congress It is the sense of Congress that— (1) it is important to modernize Federal courts to allow for videoconferencing in certain criminal proceedings, which flexibility Congress authorized under the CARES Act, which provided for such an option at the discretion of the chief judge of a district court during the national emergency associated with the COVID–19 pandemic; (2) the efficiency and expediency gained from the flexibility authorized under the CARES Act should be made permanent; and (3) such an option should not impede constitutional rights, but expand and protect them during times when meeting together may be difficult and inefficient. 3. Video teleconferencing for certain criminal proceedings (a) In general Chapter 201 of title 18, United States Code, is amended by inserting after section 3014 the following new section: 3015. Video teleconferencing for certain criminal proceedings (a) In general The chief judge of a district court may authorize the use of video teleconferencing, or telephone conferencing if video teleconferencing is not reasonably available, for the following events: (1) Detention hearings under section 3142 of title 18, United States Code. (2) Initial appearances under Rule 5 of the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure. (3) Preliminary hearings under Rule 5.1 of the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure. (4) Waivers of indictment under Rule 7(b) of the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure. (5) Arraignments under Rule 10 of the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure. (6) Probation and supervised release revocation proceedings under Rule 32.1 of the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure. (7) Pretrial release revocation proceedings under section 3148. (8) Appearances under Rule 40 of the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure. (9) Misdemeanor pleas and sentencings as described in Rule 43(b)(2) of the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure. (10) Proceedings under chapter 403 (commonly known as the Federal Juvenile Delinquency Act ), except for contested transfer hearings and juvenile delinquency adjudication or trial proceedings. (b) Consent Video conferencing or telephone conferencing authorized under subsection (a) may only take place with the consent of the defendant, or the juvenile, after consultation with counsel. (c) Access to counsel Video teleconferencing or telephone teleconferencing authorized under subsection (a) shall provide the defendant the ability to privately consult with counsel if requested. . (b) Clerical amendment The table of sections for chapter 201 of title 18, United States Code, is amended by inserting after the item relating to 3014 the following new item: 3015. Video teleconferencing for certain criminal proceedings. . 4. Rule of construction Nothing in this Act, or the amendments made by this Act, shall obviate a defendant’s right to counsel under the Sixth Amendment to the Constitution of the United States, any Federal statute, or the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure.