Opinion
ADM File No. 2002-09.
June 22, 2004.
On order of the Court, the experimental use of two-way interactive video technology authorized by Administrative Order No. 2001-4 is hereby extended until July 1, 2005, or until further order of this Court.
Also, the State Court Administrator is authorized to approve, upon request and submission of a local administrative order by a court approved under AO 2001-4 to conduct two-way interactive video hearings in the probate court, two-way interactive hearings concerning petitions for guardianship involving persons receiving treatment in mental health cases.
Finally, the State Court Administrator may authorize additional courts to participate as pilot courts in this interactive video project, in the following circumstances:
1) the court has purchased and installed two-way interactive video technology that meets the equipment standards established by the State Court Administrative Office, and;
2) the court agrees to participate in future evaluations conducted by the State Court Administrative Office.Staff Comment: Administrative Order No. 2000-4 authorized the experimental use of two-way interactive video technology for specified involuntary commitment and child protective proceedings in the probate court and the family division of the circuit court in certain counties. Administrative Order No. 2001-4 reauthorized this use, but expanded the number of counties in the pilot project and included authorization to use interactive video technology in select juvenile delinquency proceedings. Administrative Order No. 2003-4 authorized the use of interactive video technology, but expanded the types of venues at which IVT can be used and the number of counties in the pilot project. Administrative Order No. 2004-3 reauthorizes the use of interactive video technology, but expands the types of proceedings for which IVT can be used by allowing its use in hearings on petitions for guardianship involving persons receiving treatment in mental health cases. It also authorizes the State Court Administrative Office to approve additional counties in the pilot project.
The staff comment is not an authoritative construction by the Court.