CRIMINAL PRETRIAL HEARINGS USING TWO-WAY LIVE VIDEO TECHNOLOGY – PROTOCOL – 11/25/20
CRIMINAL PRETRIAL HEARINGS USING TWO-WAY LIVE VIDEO
TECHNOLOGY – PROTOCOL – 11/25/20
1. Two-way live video remote proceedings are useful and effective in protecting the wellbeing of those who have matters before the Circuit Court for Baltimore City while
protecting the essence of a defendant’s right to confront witnesses absent a physical faceto face confrontation. The reliability of the testimony is assured given the quality of the
video technology now in existence.
2. In an effort to meet the public policy requirements of protecting the health and safety of
the public and court employees, to address wellness concerns raised by members of the
Bar, and to help resolve matters efficiently and fairly, criminal pretrial hearings shall be
held remotely using two-way live video technology.
3. The assigned judge will send an invite for 2:00 p.m. to the Assistant State’s Attorney,
defense counsel, courtroom clerk, and the applicable institution to participate in the
hearing.
4. The parties will send the meeting identification number and the password to their
witnesses. Witnesses shall participate using both audio and video.
5. The parties shall present to each other an exhibit and witness list within two weeks of the
hearing date. 1
6. Parties shall email the assigned judge an exhibit and witness list and exhibits to be placed
in the court file at least two weeks prior to the hearing.2
7. After the hearing is concluded, the assigned judge shall give exhibits admitted into
evidence to the courtroom clerk to be placed in the court file.
8. Body-worn camera exhibits will be played for all participants during the hearing, using the
Zoom for Government shared document feature.
9. On the day of the hearing, if the assigned judge does not rule on the motion, the judge must
issue a written order.
10. If the motion is denied, counsel must dial in the following business day to Postponement
Court to have a new trial date scheduled.
cc: Judges of the Circuit Court for Baltimore City
Criminal Manual
Parole and Probation
Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services
Clerk’s Office
Criminal Assignment
State’s Attorney’s Office
Office of the Attorney General
Office of the Public Defender
Private Defense Bar
1 The two week requirement for providing exhibits to the other party does not apply for the motions hearing
scheduled for December 1, 2020. Counsel should provide the exhibits no later than November 30, 2020.
2 The two week requirement for providing exhibits to the judge does not apply for the motions hearing scheduled
for December 1, 2020. Counsel should provide the exhibits no later than November 30, 2020.
