Rule 3.904 - Use of Videoconferencing Technology(A) Delinquency, Designated, and Personal Protection Violation Proceedings. Courts may use videoconferencing technology in delinquency, designated, and personal protection violation proceedings as follows. (1) Juvenile in the Courtroom or at a Separate Location. Videoconferencing technology may be used between a courtroom and a facility when conducting preliminary hearings under MCR 3.935(A)(1), preliminary examinations under MCR 3.953 and MCR 3.985, postdispositional progress reviews, and dispositional hearings where the court does not order a more restrictive placement or more restrictive treatment.(2) Juvenile in the Courtroom-Other Proceedings. Except as otherwise provided in this rule, as long as the juvenile is either present in the courtroom or has waived the right to be present, on motion of either party showing good cause, the court may use videoconferencing technology to take testimony from an expert witness or a person at another location in any delinquency, designated, or personal protection violation proceeding under this subchapter. If the proceeding is a trial, the court may use videoconferencing technology with the consent of the parties. A party who does not consent to the use of videoconferencing technology to take testimony from a person at trial shall not be required to articulate any reason for not consenting.(3) Notwithstanding any other provision of this rule, until further order of the Court, courts may use two-way videoconferencing technology or other remote participation tools where the court orders a more restrictive placement or more restrictive treatment.(B) Child Protective and Juvenile Guardianship Proceedings. (1) Except as provided in subrule (B)(2), courts may allow the use of videoconferencing technology by any participant, as defined in MCR 2.407(A)(1), in any proceeding.(2) As long as the respondent is either present in the courtroom or has waived the right to be present, on motion of either party showing good cause, the court may use videoconferencing technology to take testimony from an expert witness or any person at another location in the following proceedings: (a) removal hearings under MCR 3.967 and evidentiary hearings; and(b) termination of parental rights proceedings under MCR 3.977 and trials, with the consent of the parties. A party who does not consent to the use of videoconferencing technology to take testimony from a person at trial shall not be required to articulate any reason for not consenting. (C) Mechanics of Use. The use of videoconferencing technology under this rule must be in accordance with the standards established by the State Court Administrative Office. All proceedings at which videoconferencing technology is used must be recorded verbatim by the court.Last amended effective 1/1/2017; amended July 26, 2021, effective 7/26/2021.