Remote Public Access To Criminal Court Proceedings
The bill requires all courts in Colorado to provide remote access for the public to observe any criminal court proceeding conducted in open court, unless:
- The court does not have the technology available to do so ;
or -
The court has ordered that the public is excluded from the proceeding ; - Technology, staffing, or internet issues limit or prevent remote observation; or
- After a request, the court makes findings that:
- The remote observation of live proceedings risks compromising the safety of any person, the defendant's right to a fair trial, or the victim's rights; and
- There is no less restrictive alternative that preserves the public interest in remote observation.
The bill also requires the court to post links on its website for the remote observation.
- Take reasonable steps to ensure that no audio or visual transmission of privileged, confidential communications occurs; and
- If a proceeding is subject to a sequestration order, take reasonable steps to ensure compliance with the sequestration order.
If a court does not have the sufficient existing staff or technology to allow remote observation to the public but later obtains such staff or technology, the bill requires the court to comply with the bill within 90 days after obtaining the necessary staff or technology.
(Note: Italicized words indicate new material added to the original summary; dashes through words indicate deletions from the original summary.)
(Note: This summary applies to the reengrossed version of this bill as introduced in the second house.)