OMCLR 3   VIDEO CONFERENCE PROCEEDINGS

  1.   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 by CrR 3.3 and
     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 in the
     Court’s discretion be granted.

  2.   Other trial court proceedings including the entry of a
     statement of Defendant on Plea of Guilty as defined by CrR
     4.2 and 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.

  3.   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 security sufficient 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
     to assure that the interpreter can hear all participants.

  4.   For purposes of video conference proceedings, the
     facsimile signatures of the defendant, counsel, interested
     parties and the Court will be treated as if they were an
     original 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.