CARSON CITY, Nev. (AP) — Nevada lawmakers are reviewing a bill that would admit hearsay evidence in the early stages of some sensitive court cases.
The Senate Judiciary Committee held a hearing Wednesday for AB193. The bill deals with hearsay evidence, such as an accuser's account of a crime as told to police.
Under the bill, hearsay could be brought up in a preliminary hearing or in secret grand jury proceedings for child sex abuse or domestic violence cases. Those hearings determine whether there's enough evidence for a case to proceed.
Proponents including Clark County District Attorney Steve Wolfson said preliminary hearings can be adversarial, and the bill would spare children the trauma of testifying.
Opponents say hearsay evidence can be unreliable, and the bill would tip the scales too far in favor of prosecutors.