Crime news: hi-tech courtrooms win provider praise
Benefits of wi-fi recognised as digital presentation technology becomes available in 50% of courtrooms.
Hi-tech courtrooms are starting to be recognised for the benefits they bring to providers and advocates.
50% milestone for digital technology
In-court digital display technology has now been installed in 50% of magistrates’ courtrooms and rollout will be completed in June 2015.
Alongside this, installation of professional court user wi-fi is continuing across England and Wales. This is due to be completed in March 2016.
‘Excellent speed’ for wi-fi
Solicitor Jason Smith, from Thubrons, CKM and Hannays Solicitors, said after using professional court user wi-fi for the first time: “I have used the wi-fi in North Shields today – excellent speed.”
The presentation technology allows providers and advocates to use their own devices to show digital material on screens in the courtroom. This is achieved using wireless ‘ClickShare’ technology.
It makes it easier for everyone in the courtroom to follow proceedings. This includes prosecution and defence, defendants, victims, witnesses and the public.
Meanwhile, the wi-fi rollout is taking place across both magistrates’ and Crown Court buildings.
Secure eMail
Once registered to use Criminal Justice Secure eMail (CJSM), providers are able to request access to the professional court user wi-fi service to connect to the internet and their own IT systems.
This will improve collaboration across the Criminal Justice System (CJS) as well as increasing productivity and efficiencies while working in court.
You can see which courts have the wi-fi installed by using the Google map links below.
Speed up processes
Digital working in the courtroom will reduce the need for documentation to be provided in hard copy formats for hearings and trials. This will save money, speed up processes and reduce the administrative burden.
These technologies are key to realising the government’s ambition to have criminal courts working digitally by July 2016.
Further information
Interactive online maps:
Email: CJSEfficiency@cps.gsi.gov.uk - for enquiries about the CJS efficiency programme
Criminal legal aid processing: applications and digital systems