§50-4-2a. Initial appearance and arraignment by video to be conducted by magistrate court wherein offense is charged; exceptions.

(a) Except as provided by the provisions of subsection (b) of this section, whenever a person already detained in a regional jail facility is served with a criminal complaint, the initial appearance or arraignment, if accomplished by the use of a video imaging system, shall to the extent practicable be before a magistrate of the charging jurisdiction. If such is not practicable, a magistrate of the jurisdiction in which the regional jail facility is located may preside over the proceeding.

(b) An order of the Supreme Court of Appeals authorizing a magistrate or magistrates to conduct pretrial proceedings by use of video imaging shall supercede the requirements set forth in subsection (a) of this section.