This bill, requested by the State Public Defender, introduces provisions for the remote appearance of public defense attorneys in Montana. It allows attorneys assigned to criminal or civil matters to appear remotely for nonsubstantive hearings, which are defined as court events where the substantive outcome is not decided. The bill mandates that courts establish a consistent process for remote appearances, while also allowing courts to require in-person attendance if good cause is shown, with a notice period of at least 72 hours before the hearing.

Additionally, the bill amends Section 47-1-103 of the Montana Code Annotated to clarify the definition of "nonsubstantive hearing" by listing specific types of hearings that fall under this category, such as arraignments, bond hearings, and scheduling hearings. The new language aims to enhance the efficiency of public defense proceedings by facilitating remote participation while ensuring that courts maintain the authority to require in-person appearances when necessary.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 47-1-103