GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA

SESSION 1999

S	1 

SENATE BILL 1129

Short Title:  Guilty Pleas/Audio & Video Transmission.   	(Public)

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Sponsors: Senator Jordan.

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Referred to:  Judiciary II.

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April 15, 1999

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT TO PROVIDE THAT AN INCARCERATED DEFENDANT MAY PLEAD GUILTY TO A MISDEMEANOR OR INFRACTION BY USE OF TWO-WAY AUDIO AND VIDEO TRANSMISSION.
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
Section 1.  G.S. 15A-1011 is amended by adding the following new subsections:
"( f)	With the consent of the prosecutor, judge, and defendant, a defendant who is in custody may plead guilty or no contest to a misdemeanor or infraction and be sentenced by an audio and video transmission that allows the judge and defendant to see and hear each other.  If the defendant has counsel, the defendant shall be allowed to communicate fully and confidentially with the defendant's  attorney during the proceeding.
(g)	Prior to the use of audio and video transmission pursuant to subsection (f) of this section, the procedures and type of equipment for audio and video transmission shall be submitted to the Administrative Office of the Courts by the senior regular resident superior court judge for the judicial district or set of districts approved by the Administrative Office of the Courts."
Section 2.  The title of G.S. 15A-1011 reads as rewritten:
"§ 15A-1011.  Pleas in district and superior courts; waiver of appearance; audio and video transmission."
Section 3.  This act becomes effective December 1, 1999.