Criminal Justice (Courts)

SB 341 restricts when witnesses can testify remotely at preliminary hearings or grand jury proceedings by removing the previous "good cause" exception. It now only allows remote testimony if a witness lives more than 100 miles away or has a medical condition preventing attendance. The bill requires witnesses to sign a sworn declaration before testifying and mandates that prosecutors file this declaration plus a notice explaining the specific reason (distance or medical) with the court 48 hours in advance. These changes apply to cases beginning on or after October 1, 2025, and require remote testimony to be transcribed.

AB 580 appropriates $3 million from the State General Fund to Nevada's Department of Indigent Defense Services. The funds specifically cover public defender stipends and other costs required to comply with a court order (Davis v. State, 2020) mandating improvements to indigent defense services. The money must be spent by June 30, 2027, with any unused portion reverting to the state by September 17, 2027. This bill directly supports the state's indigent defense system in meeting its legal obligations.

SB 120 prevents courts from charging interest or fees for payment plans when defendants pay court fines, fees, or penalties. It also prohibits courts from requiring low-income defendants with publicly appointed attorneys to reimburse the government for legal costs. The bill directly affects individuals facing court-ordered payments or appointed legal representation due to financial hardship. These changes apply to existing court procedures under Nevada law, removing financial burdens for vulnerable defendants in these specific scenarios.