Art. 46B.013.  USE OF ELECTRONIC BROADCAST SYSTEM IN CERTAIN PROCEEDINGS UNDER THIS CHAPTER.  (a)  A hearing may be conducted using an electronic broadcast system as permitted by this chapter and in accordance with the other provisions of this code if:
(1)  written consent to the use of an electronic broadcast system is filed with the court by:
(A)  the defendant or the attorney representing the defendant; and
(B)  the attorney representing the state;
(2)  the electronic broadcast system provides for a simultaneous, compressed full motion video, and interactive communication of image and sound between the judge, the attorney representing the state, the attorney representing the defendant, and the defendant; and
(3)  on request of the defendant or the attorney representing the defendant, the defendant and the attorney representing the defendant are able to communicate privately without being recorded or heard by the judge or the attorney representing the state.
(b)  On the motion of the defendant, the attorney representing the defendant, or the attorney representing the state or on the court's own motion, the court may terminate an appearance made through an electronic broadcast system at any time during the appearance and require an appearance by the defendant in open court.
(c)  A recording of the communication shall be made and preserved until any appellate proceedings have been concluded.  The defendant may obtain a copy of the recording on payment of a reasonable amount to cover the costs of reproduction or, if the defendant is indigent, the court shall provide a copy to the defendant without charging a cost for the copy.
Added by Acts 2005, 79th Leg., Ch. 324 (S.B. 679), Sec. 4, eff. September 1, 2005.