Table of Contents How to use this handbook ............................................................................................................... 1 Overview ......................................................................................................................................... 2 “…lest we begin to practice ‘virtual justice’."................................................................................ 4 Section I Maintaining the quality of justice................................................................................... 9 Quality representation................................................................................................................................9 Communication and consultation............................................................................................................... 9 Quality practice standards ....................................................................................................................... 11 Dignity and decorum in courtrooms and other court facilities ................................................................ 12 Section II Raising challenges....................................................................................................... 15 Making the record .................................................................................................................................... 15 Constitutional considerations................................................................................................................... 18 When is a hearing a critical stage? .......................................................................................................... 19 Contesting proceedings where videoconferencing may be used............................................................... 21 Juvenile proceedings ............................................................................................................................ 21 Chapter 51 and Chapter 55 proceedings.............................................................................................. 22 Intake hearings ..................................................................................................................................... 23 The contested revocation hearing......................................................................................................... 24 Rights at a revocation hearing ......................................................................................................... 26 Presence ........................................................................................................................................... 27 Presenting and confronting witnesses .............................................................................................. 28 Statutory, court rule and administrative rule considerations................................................................... 31 Section III Providing effective representation............................................................................. 35 Meeting the required technical and operational standards...................................................................... 35 Waivers and stipulations .......................................................................................................................... 36 Waiver .................................................................................................................................................. 36 Stipulation ............................................................................................................................................ 38 Who makes the decision?...................................................................................................................... 38 How to be effective when appearing by video .......................................................................................... 40 Dealing with video testimony ................................................................................................................... 41 Who pays for videoconferencing? ............................................................................................................ 47 Defense witnesses ................................................................................................................................. 47 Requesting the use of videoconferencing.............................................................................................. 48 Client and witness conferences............................................................................................................. 52 Confidentiality issues................................................................................................................................53 Client conferences by video...................................................................................................................... 54 Interpreters and video court..................................................................................................................... 56 Section IV Preparing for video court ............................................................................................. 57 Preparing for the video hearing ............................................................................................................... 57 Who decides where the client and attorney will be located?.................................................................... 57 Advising the client about appearing by video........................................................................................... 61 The attorney’s responsibilities when the court denies the client’s request............................................... 62 Attorney’s appearance from a separate location ..................................................................................... 62 Advising the client before the hearing...................................................................................................... 63 Final thoughts................................................................................................................................ 65 Appendices Appendix A Video Court Checklist for Defense Attorneys........................................................................ 66 Appendix B Frequently Reported Problems with Video Court................................................................. 68 Appendix C Chapter 885 Wis. Stats. Relating to Videoconferencing in the Circuit Courts ..................... 72 Appendix D Synopsis of Additional Statutes, Court Orders, Administrative Rules and Case Law Concerning Using Telephone and Videoconferencing in Wisconsin Court Proceedings.................. 80 Appendix E Practical Tips for Participating on a Videoconferencing Committee................................... 99 Appendix F Client’s Video Hearing Survey............................................................................................ 105 References ................................................................................................................................... 106 ii How to use this handbook This handbook is a revision of a project first published by the Quality Indicators Work Group of the Wisconsin State Public Defender in 2005. It is an extensive document that incorporates material from numerous sources that are relevant for the defense attorney facing the use of videoconferencing in the courtroom. The amount of material may seem overwhelming to the practitioner when confronted with a video court appearance for the first time. The following suggestions may help in using the handbook. 1. Identify the type of proceeding in question and review the applicable statutes. 2. Review Chapter 885 Subchapter III of the Wisconsin Statutes (see Appendix C). 3. Review all sections of the handbook that apply to your court proceeding and the issues that will arise in your case. 4. Take special note of the Quality Practice Standards. 5. Consult the reference list for additional research material. The use of videoconferencing in criminal cases and other cases handled by the State Public Defender involves complex constitutional and statutory issues. Although the steps above are designed to help the reader begin the process of dealing with these issues, complete mastery of this subject requires a full review of this handbook. The handbook is merely a reference point and should not limit the research and litigation strategy of the lawyer. 1 Overview Protecting Quality Representation in Video Court - A Practical Handbook for Wisconsin Defense Attorneys was prepared by the Wisconsin State Public Defender’s Quality Indicators Work Group in September 2005. This is the 2010 edition which incorporates not only the Wisconsin Supreme Court’s issuance of Subchapter III, Chapter 885, Use of Videoconferencing in the Circuit Courts but also a discussion of some of the issues concerning the use of videoconferencing which have arisen in the last five years. It is designed to guide defense attorneys representing clients in courtroom telephone and videoconferencing1systems. Included in this handbook are quality practice standards which were developed by the Quality Indicators Work Group. This handbook provides an overview of some of the issues surrounding the use of video in court proceedings and provides a framework for analyzing those issues. It also suggests2 considerations for attorneys and clients appearing via video.