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Panel debates allowing remote appearances for public defenders; magistrates warn of client contact and privacy risks
Summary
House Bill 116 would let public defenders appear remotely for routine, non‑substantive hearings to reduce travel and free attorney time. The Office of Public Defender and some advocacy groups supported the bill as an efficiency measure; the Montana Magistrates Association opposed it, citing risks to attorney‑client contact and worries about handling bond hearings remotely.
Representative Valerie Moore opened the hearing on House Bill 116, describing it as her first bill and as an effort to reduce unnecessary travel by public defenders for routine, non‑substantive hearings. Moore cited an OPD estimate that public defenders logged roughly 16,000 hours of travel in fiscal 2024 and said the fiscal note estimates savings of about $164,000 if more routine hearings were conducted remotely.
Brett Schandelson, director of the Office of State Public Defender, testified in support. He said remote appearances would let OPD use limited appropriated resources more efficiently, reduce travel costs paid to private attorneys, and free staff time for substantive legal work. Schandelson said the policy change would not replace in‑person appearances for hearings…
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