46-16-216. Videotaped testimony. (1) For any prosecution commenced under 45-5-502(3), 45-5-503, 45-5-505, or 45-5-507 or for prosecution of any offense against the person provided for in Title 45, chapter 5, involving a victim who is under 16 years of age, the testimony of the victim, at the request of the victim and with the concurrence of the prosecutor, may be recorded by means of videotape for presentation at trial. The recorded testimony may be presented at trial and must be received into evidence. The victim need not be physically present in the courtroom when the videotape is admitted into evidence.
     (2) The procedural and evidentiary rules of the state that are applicable to criminal trials within the state apply to the videotape proceedings authorized by this section.
     (3) The district court judge, the prosecutor, the victim, the defendant, the defendant's attorney, and other persons as are considered necessary by the court to make the recordings authorized under this section must be allowed to attend the videotape proceedings.
     (4) Videotapes that are part of the court record are subject to a protective order of the court for the purpose of protecting the privacy of the victim.

     History: En. Sec. 200, Ch. 800, L. 1991; amd. Sec. 2, Ch. 288, L. 1991.