Over the past year, justice systems around the world have been disrupted by the Covid-19 pandemic, with trials and hearings either delayed or conducted virtually using “remote court” proceedings with video conferencing technology.
In this article, you will find out more about the role of technology in legal processes today...
While at first this was a temporary solution in response to a health crisis, now, as the world emerges from the pandemic, courts are facing a backlog of cases and finding that the most efficient way to catch up is through continued use of remote court proceedings. This is creating a growing demand for secure and reliable video conferencing solutions. At the same time, there is a pressing need for a better understanding of the technology and how things like virtual courts and video arraignments work so that court systems can plan for a smart, modernized approach to legal processes.
In its simplest terms, a virtual court or remote court is when some or all of the participants involved in legal proceedings such as a trial or hearing takes part remotely instead of meeting in-person. In the past, this was often done using a phone line, but more recently, has been done using video conferencing. Webcams, microphones, and screens are set up to link the custody suites and the magistrates' court, plus a system is used for sharing legal documents electronically. Anyone joining a virtual court hearing will first need to have the following basics in place:
Just as with a traditional court hearing, participants need to dress appropriately for the courtroom. Defendants and witnesses may be virtually sworn-in and the hearing will often start in a virtual “waiting room” where judges will mute them until a response is required. It’s essential that participants can be heard and seen clearly with their camera and microphone.
Firstly, what is an arraignment? This is a type of preliminary hearing where a defendant is brought to court and formally charged with their crime. Video arraignments have been around for some time and enable this process to take place remotely. In the US there are currently around 200 video arraignment solutions installed in state court systems.
Video arraignments offer considerable benefits, and in many ways they have acted as a precursor to the virtual and remote hearings we see today. Video arraignments eliminate the need for security personnel and transportation for prisoners, creates a reduction in courtroom crowding, and lowers costs associated with transportation and personnel. By helping speed up court proceedings, this further simplifies court administration and makes the entire process more efficient. Courtroom staff and the public are much safer and more secure, while client-attorney communications are easier to keep confidential. It’s also beneficial for the well-being of inmates; many inmates prefer video arraignment because of the improvement in custody conditions and they can avoid body searches, handcuffs, and long waiting times in the court holding facility.
If you’ve yet to participate in a virtual court in a legal capacity, you might be wondering about the protocol. Here are a few best practice tips:
Participants can be well-prepared, but justice departments, local courts, and correctional facilities also have a responsibility now to implement technology that makes this process as frictionless and easy-to-use as possible. These organizations have seen the immense benefits of remote courts, and pressure is now mounting for justice departments to use this technology to tackle the challenges of overcrowded jails, clogged legal systems, and health and safety concerns of inmates.
Pexip technology helped the Paulding County Sheriff's Office to successfully migrate their court system to video using Pexip Infinity. Court proceedings were able to become more streamlined and safer, while saving time and reducing costs. “The system really helped us out a lot. With our protocols in place and with this system, we’ve had no COVID-19 outbreaks in our detention facility,” said Colonel Chad Hunton, Chief Deputy at the Paulding County Sheriff’s Office.
Read the full case study here.
As a scalable solution, this technology also opens the potential for remote interactions in the future between inmates, judges, and support services such as meetings with counselors and religious leaders.
With a powerful range of privacy and security benefits, Pexip is well placed to meet the growing demands of courts today. Pexip offers secure workflows and flexible deployments, API integrations, and interoperability, which provides the ability to join from any browser or device, making the process of joining remote court proceedings more streamlined and predictable.
Find out how the Pexip platform has helped justice departments around the world make the transition to a secure, easy-to-use video conferencing for virtual courts.