IN RECENT YEARS THE USE OF THE PVT HAS BEEN ON THE RISE. IT HAS PROVED MOST CONVENIENT FOR THOSE WITNESSES WHO FIND DIFFICULTY IN SCHEDULING TIME TO PRESENT THEIR TESTIMONY. BUT FOR THE DEFENDANT, THE AUTHOR BELIEVES, THE PVT RAISES CONSTITUTIONAL QUESTIONS. THESE INCLUDE THE RIGHTS OF PRESENCE, CONFRONTATION, PUBLIC TRIAL, JURY TRIAL, THE FAIR TRIAL. THE AUTHOR BELIEVES THAT THE PVT CONFLICTS WITH BOTH THE LETTER AND SPIRIT OF THOSE RIGHTS. THE ARTICLE CONTAINS EXAMPLES FROM THE CASE LAW THAT ATTEMPT TO BOLSTER THIS POSITION....BS