In a child custody case, witnesses who live in another state can give their statements without coming to Missouri. They can testify by phone, video, or other electronic ways. Also, documents sent from another state using technology are allowed as evidence, even if they are not original paper copies.
452.820. of witnesses. — 1. In addition to other procedures available to a , a party to a may offer testimony of witnesses who are located in another state, including testimony of the parties and the child, by or other means allowable in this state for testimony taken in another state. The court may that the testimony of a person be taken in another state and may the manner in which and the terms upon which the testimony is taken.
2. A court of this state may an individual residing in another state to be or to testify by telephone, , or other before a court or at another location in that state. A court of this state shall cooperate with courts of other states in designating an location for the deposition or testimony.
3. transmitted from another state to a court of this state by technological means that do not produce an original writing may not be excluded from evidence on an objection based on the means of transmission.
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Source & history notes
(L. 2009 H.B. 481)
Related Missouri laws
Forwarding copies of decrees
RSMo 452.815
Request for another court to hold hearing
RSMo 452.825
Registration of child custody determination
RSMo 452.810
Appearance at hearing
RSMo 452.830
Filing of certified copy of custody decree
RSMo 452.805
Preservation of documents
RSMo 452.835
Legal information, not legal advice. Always confirm with the official source at revisor.mo.gov.