NRS172.138. Use of audiovisual technology to present live testimony before grand jury: When permitted; requirements for taking and preserving testimony; limitations on subsequent use.

      1.  If a witness resides more than 500 miles from the place of a grand jury proceeding or is unable to attend the grand jury proceeding because of a medical condition, upon the request of the district attorney, the district judge supervising the proceedings of the grand jury may allow a witness to testify before the grand jury through the use of audiovisual technology.

      2.  The district judge supervising the proceedings of the grand jury may allow a witness to testify before the grand jury through the use of audiovisual technology only if the district judge finds that good cause exists to grant the request based upon the specific facts and circumstances of the grand jury proceeding.

      3.  If the district judge supervising the proceedings of the grand jury allows a witness to testify at the grand jury proceeding through the use of audiovisual technology:

      (a) The testimony of the witness must be:

             (1) Taken by a certified videographer who is in the physical presence of the witness. The certified videographer shall sign a written declaration, on a form provided by the district judge, which states that the witness does not possess any notes or other materials to assist in the witness’s testimony.

             (2) Recorded and preserved through the use of a videotape or other means of audiovisual recording technology.

             (3) Transcribed by a certified court reporter appointed pursuant to NRS 172.215 in accordance with the provisions of NRS 172.225.

      (b) Before giving testimony, the witness must be sworn and must sign a written declaration, on a form provided by the district judge, which acknowledges that the witness understands that he or she is subject to the jurisdiction of the courts of this state and may be subject to criminal prosecution for the commission of any crime in connection with his or her testimony, including, without limitation, perjury, and that the witness consents to such jurisdiction.

      (c) The original recorded testimony of the witness must be delivered to the certified court reporter.

      (d) The testimony of the witness may not be used by any party upon the trial of the cause or in any proceeding therein in lieu of the direct testimony of the witness, but the court may allow the testimony of the witness to be used for any other lawful purpose.

      4.  Audiovisual technology used pursuant to this section must ensure that the witness may be:

      (a) Clearly heard and seen; and

      (b) Examined.

      5.  As used in this section, “audiovisual technology” includes, without limitation, closed-circuit video and videoconferencing.

      (Added to NRS by 2001, 545)