Judiciary Rejects Expanding Videoconferences in Criminal Cases (Correct)

A judiciary panel voted against expanding the use videoconferencing technology in criminal hearings in ways utilized by the courts during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The Judicial Conference’s Advisory Committee on Criminal Rules voted unanimously on Thursday not to adopt a recommendation to amend Rule 43 of the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure that requires defendants to be present at the initial appearance, arraignment, plea, and sentencing.

The CARES Act, signed into law in 2020, authorized judges to use videoconferencing during the pandemic under certain circumstances and with the consent of the defendant. The legislation and the authorization expired ...