A. Hearings pursuant to the Inpatient Mental Health and Substance Abuse Treatment of Minors Act shall be private unless specifically ordered by the judge to be conducted in public, but persons having a direct interest in the case shall be admitted. Stenographic notes or other transcript of the hearings shall be kept as in other cases, but they shall not be open to inspection except by order of the court or as otherwise provided by Title 10A of the Oklahoma Statutes for court records relating to children.

B. The minor may remain silent as a matter of right in hearings pursuant to the Inpatient Mental Health and Substance Abuse Treatment of Minors Act and shall be so advised. No statement, admission or confession made by the minor alleged to be a minor in need of treatment shall be used against the minor for any purpose except for proceedings pursuant to the Inpatient Mental Health and Substance Abuse Treatment of Minors Act.

C. A decision determining a minor to be a minor in need of treatment shall be made by the judge; provided, however, the judge on his or her own motion may call a jury to try any such case. Such decision must be based on sworn testimony and the minor must have the opportunity for cross-examination unless the facts are stipulated. Where the facts are stipulated, the judge must ascertain from the minor if the minor agrees with the stipulation and understands the consequences of stipulating the facts.

D. The court may receive as evidence and act upon the evaluation or report of the licensed mental health professional who evaluated the minor.

E. If authorized by the court, any proceeding held pursuant to the Inpatient Mental Health and Substance Abuse Treatment of Minors Act may be conducted via teleconference communication; provided, that when a parent or child appears for a proceeding via teleconference, the attorney representing that parent or child shall personally appear at the hearing. For purposes of this paragraph, “teleconference communication” means participation in the hearing by interactive telecommunication, including telephonic communication, by the absent party, those parties present in court, the attorneys, and others deemed to be necessary participants to the proceeding including, but not limited to, foster parents and facility staff where a child may be receiving care or treatment.