Rule 7.3.Video teleconferencing for mental commitment hearings
Title III: Pleadings; Motions; Scheduling · Last amended July 1, 2016 · Last verified July 14, 2026
In one sentenceRule 7.3 permits involuntary mental commitment hearings to proceed by video teleconference, but only if the patient can see and be seen, confer privately with counsel, and everyone involved remains visible and audible to each other, with the session recorded and documented in minutes.
(a)Video teleconferencing allowed. Hearings related to involuntary mental commitment, including initial commitment hearings and hearings concerning continuing involuntary commitment, may be conducted by video teleconference under the following conditions:
(1)the proposed patient must be visible and audible to the court and others physically present in the courtroom;
(2)the proposed patient, if represented by counsel, must be able to communicate and consult privately with counsel during the proceeding; and
(3)the court, the proposed patient, counsel for all parties, and any witness while testifying, must be visible and audible with each other simultaneously and have the ability to communicate with each other during the proceeding.
(b)Recording; Minutes. The audio of the video teleconference must be recorded and minutes of the hearing must be prepared and filed in the action.
Amendment History
(Adopted March 1, 2016, effective July 1, 2016.)
Plain-English Summary
Involuntary commitment hearings decide whether someone will be confined for mental health treatment against their will — stakes serious enough that Rule 7.3 attaches real conditions to holding them by video. The proposed patient must be visible and audible to the court and to everyone physically present in the courtroom, and if represented by counsel, must be able to communicate and consult privately with that lawyer during the proceeding. The judge, the patient, counsel for every party, and any witness who is testifying must all be able to see and hear one another at the same time throughout the hearing.
Once the hearing happens, the audio has to be recorded and minutes of the hearing have to be prepared and filed in the case, so a lasting record exists of what a video hearing on someone's liberty covered.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can an involuntary commitment hearing be held over video?
Yes, including both initial commitment hearings and hearings about continuing involuntary commitment, as long as the conditions in Rule 7.3 are met.
Can the patient speak privately with their attorney during a video hearing?
Yes. The rule requires that a represented patient be able to communicate and consult privately with counsel during the proceeding.
Do the judge, patient, and lawyers all need to see and hear each other at once?
Yes. The court, the proposed patient, counsel for all parties, and any testifying witness must be visible and audible with each other simultaneously and able to communicate throughout.
Is the video hearing recorded?
Yes. The audio of the teleconference must be recorded, and minutes of the hearing must be prepared and filed in the action.
Does this rule cover only the initial commitment hearing?
No, it covers both the initial commitment hearing and hearings on continuing involuntary commitment.
Source & verification. Rule text
are reproduced verbatim from the Idaho Rules of Civil Procedure, adopted by the
Supreme Court of Idaho. Last verified July 14, 2026. ·
Official source
Also known as:idaho mental commitment video hearinginvoluntary commitment hearing rule idahovideo teleconference civil commitment idahorule 7.3 idaho civil procedure