(a)  In a guardianship or protective proceeding, in addition to other procedures that may be available, testimony of witnesses who are located in another state may be offered by deposition or other means allowable in this state for testimony taken in another state. The court on its own motion may order that the testimony of a witness be taken in another state and may prescribe the manner in which, and the terms upon which, the testimony is to be taken.

Terms Used In Rhode Island General Laws 33-15.2-106

  • Deposition: An oral statement made before an officer authorized by law to administer oaths. Such statements are often taken to examine potential witnesses, to obtain discovery, or to be used later in trial.
  • Evidence: Information presented in testimony or in documents that is used to persuade the fact finder (judge or jury) to decide the case for one side or the other.
  • Protective proceeding: means a judicial proceeding in which a protective order is sought or has been issued. See Rhode Island General Laws 33-15.2-102
  • State: means a state of the United States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the United States Virgin Islands, a federally recognized Indian tribe, or any territory or insular possession subject to the jurisdiction of the United States. See Rhode Island General Laws 33-15.2-102
  • Testify: Answer questions in court.
  • Testimony: Evidence presented orally by witnesses during trials or before grand juries.

(b)  In a guardianship or protective proceeding, a court in this state may permit a witness located in another state to be deposed or to testify by telephone or audiovisual or other electronic means. A court of this state shall cooperate with courts of other states in designating an appropriate location for the deposition or testimony.

(c)  Documentary evidence transmitted from another state to a court of this state by technological means that do not produce an original writing may not be excluded from evidence on an objection based on the means of transmission.

History of Section.
P.L. 2015, ch. 210, § 1; P.L. 2015, ch. 241, § 1.