Domestic violence proceedings: conditional examination of witnesses.

Existing law provides for the conditional examination of a witness by the defendant in all cases, and by the people in cases where the punishment may be other than death, if the defendant is charged with a serious felony and there is evidence that the life of the witness is in jeopardy, and in certain other circumstances. This bill would also provide for the conditional examination of a witness by the people or the defendant in a case of domestic violence, as defined, when there is evidence that the life of the witness is in jeopardy or when there is evidence that a victim or material witness has been or is being dissuaded, as provided, from cooperating with the prosecutor or testifying at trial. The bill would make conforming changes to related provisions.