23A-12-9. Videotape of young sex crime victim's testimony at preliminary hearing or deposition--Use at trial. If a defendant has been charged with a violation of subdivision 22-22-1(1), (5), or (6) or § 22-22-7, where the victim is less than sixteen years of age, the prosecuting attorney or defense attorney may apply for an order that the victim's testimony at the preliminary hearing or at a deposition, in addition to being stenographically recorded, be recorded and preserved on videotape. The scope and manner of the examination and cross-examination shall be such as would be allowed at the trial. Notice of any such deposition pursuant to this section shall conform in all respects to the notice requirements contained in § 23A-12-2.

The application for the order shall be in writing and made at least three days before the preliminary hearing or deposition.

Upon timely receipt of the application, the court may order that the testimony of the victim given at the preliminary hearing or deposition be taken and preserved on videotape. The videotape shall be transmitted to the clerk of the court in which the action is pending.

If at the time of trial the court finds that the victim is otherwise unavailable within the meaning of subdivision 19-19-804(a), or that such testimony would in the opinion of the court be substantially detrimental to the well-being of the victim, the court may admit the videotape of the victim's testimony at the preliminary hearing or deposition as former testimony under subdivision 19-19-804(b)(1).

Source: SL 1983, ch 184, § 1; SL 1985, ch 195; SL 1986, ch 191, § 1; SL 2008, ch 118, § 2.