Gary Joseph Albertson II

Cass County Juvenile Court Remote Proceedings for Detention Hearings Plan (County Court at Law; September 21, 2023)

The Cass County Court at Law's plan under Family Code § 54.012 for remote juvenile detention hearings: whether to proceed remotely, or to let a participant attend remotely, is decided case by case in the court's discretion on a formal request, recorded by an Order for Remote Proceeding; other parties' consent may be considered but is not required; parties may cross-examine witnesses and the child may make an unsworn statement; reliable and relevant non-privileged information may be presented even if it is hearsay; a testifying party or witness must be on camera with an unobstructed view or may not testify; no recording of the detention hearing is made unless a party requests it, and a recording is deleted within 10 working days; a remote hearing is treated as closed for the record, with a private streaming link if it is opened; a victim and the victim's family may attend by stream, off camera unless testifying; a copy of any physical evidence to be offered goes to the court at least 24 hours in advance and is made available to the child's attorney.