Section 2624 Of Article 2. Prisoners As Witnesses From California Penal Code >> Title 1. >> Part 3. >> Chapter 3. >> Article 2.
2624
. (a) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a court may,
upon the submission of a written request by the party calling the
witness, order an incarcerated witness to testify in legal
proceedings via two-way electronic audiovisual communication.
(b) As used in this section, "legal proceedings" includes
preliminary hearings, civil trials, and criminal trials.
(c) With reference to criminal trials only, the procedure
described in this section shall only be used with the consent of both
parties expressed in open court, and, in consultation with the
defendant's counsel, upon a waiver by the defendant of his or her
right to compel the physical presence of the witness, pursuant to the
Sixth Amendment to the United States Constitution and Section 15 of
Article I of the California Constitution. This waiver may be
rescinded by the defendant upon a showing of good cause.
(d) No inducement shall be offered nor any penalty imposed in
connection with a defendant's consent to allow a witness to testify
via closed-circuit television.