RMCLR 3.3
                         VIDEO CONFERENCE PROCEEDINGS


    (a)  Authorization.  Preliminary appearances held pursuant to CrRLJ 3.2.1(d),
arraignments held pursuant to CrRLJ 3.4 and 4.1, bail hearings held pursuant to
CrRLJ 3.2, and trial settings held pursuant to CrRLJ 3.3(f), may be conducted
by video conference in which all participants can simultaneously see, hear and
speak with each other.  Such proceedings shall be deemed held in open court and
in the defendant's presence for the purpose 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 Renton Municipal Court judge, judge
pro-tem or court commissioner.  Any party may request an in-person hearing
which may be granted at the discretion of the Municipal Court judge, judge pro-tem
or court commissioner.

    (b)  Agreement.  Other trial court proceedings, including the entry of
a Statement of Defendant on Plea of Guilty as provided for 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 Renton Municipal Court judge, judge-pro tem or court commissioner.

    (c)  Standards for Video Conference Proceedings.  The standards for
video conference proceedings shall be as specified in CrRLJ 3.4(d)(3).


[Adopted Effective September 1, 2011]