Video Conferencing Growing Popularity in Courts

By Jelani Harper
Updated: September 27, 2011

Video conferencing may well be revolutionizing various aspects of the criminal justice system. One of the chief expenses associated with the legal process of criminal defendants is transportation to and from court proceedings for arraignments and hearings.The use of video conferencing however, would enable local governments to reduce costs and expedite the court process while allowing officers to perform their jobs more efficiently.

“I think from the standpoint of security and from the standpoint of savings it’s a win-win for everybody that’s involved,” North Myrtle Beach Chief Municipal Judge Blake Martin said.

North Myrtle Beach is one of the many cities within Horry Council, which recently approved the usage of video conferencing within its local courtrooms. Law enforcement officials are hoping this technology will allow officers to spend less time transporting defenders to and from court and enable them to spend more time monitoring areas of the community.

Gauhati High Court’s Itanagar Bench is also looking to use video conferencing in its court system to enable officials from other states to join in on proceedings. Justice Lokur is anticipating a reduction in court operating costs, as well as joint sessions with as many as four other states within the region.