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videoconferencing systems in justice
Ministry of Justice
Germany

The Problem

Victims of violence suffer again when they meet the defendant in the courtroom. Especially abused, traumatized children have to be protected from another meeting with the offender. But often there is no evidence against the defendant without the hearing of the affected child.
In some cases witnesses are nearly unattainable e.g. because of long distances. This often extends the duration of trials. In many cases it is not necessary that the parties are present in the courtroom. They can save time and many when being heard from distance. By reducing travels, the CO2-emission is lowered.

Solution and Key Benefits

 What is the initiative about? (the solution)
The justice in Baden-Württemberg uses videoconferencing systems in different cases. Abused and traumatized children are being heard in an especially equipped room. Their evidence is broadcasted to the courtroom. The children do not have to meet defendants again.
Endangered witnesses can be heard in a distant room unknown to the defendant. Witnesses, that otherwise could not or hardly be heard (e.g. because of illness, long distances to travel) can give their evidence by videoconference.

Actors and Stakeholders

 Who proposed the solution, who implemented it and who were the stakeholders?
Courts and prosecutors as well as police work together to protect the children and endangered witnesses. Lawyers and officers in administrations join the hearings by videoconference. The videoconferencing systems are used in all suitable procedures.

(a) Strategies

 Describe how and when the initiative was implemented by answering these questions
 a.      What were the strategies used to implement the initiative? In no more than 500 words, provide a summary of the main objectives and strategies of the initiative, how they were established and by whom.
At first the Minstry of Justice startet with a pilot-project and tested the special needs of the judges dealing with the systems. After that the number of available systems was steadily increased.

(b) Implementation

 b.      What were the key development and implementation steps and the chronology? No more than 500 words
Step 1: Pilot-project at the financial high court to make sure that all needs of the justice are being considered
Step 2: next project in the administrative justice to avoid unnecessary travels of the parties and to save time, money and to accelerate trials
Step3: videoconferencing systems in criminal justice to help victims of crime

(c) Overcoming Obstacles

 c.      What were the main obstacles encountered? How were they overcome? No more than 500 words
Many judges and lawyers but also members of the administration of the courts the were very reserved against the use of the technical means during the hearings.
After special trainings the system was accepted.

(d) Use of Resources

 d.      What resources were used for the initiative and what were its key benefits? In no more than 500 words, specify what were the financial, technical and human resources’ costs associated with this initiative. Describe how resources were mobilized
The systems used are in accordance with the worldwide standards.
The costs for the systems vary depending on the special needs of the equipped rooms.
The costs for the technical facilities in a room that fits to the special needs of children do not exceed 10.000 €. The total sum of money needed depends on the number of rooms fitted. The costs for the systems in the courtroom depends on its size.

Sustainability and Transferability

  Is the initiative sustainable and transferable?
After a big restraint by the public service, especially the administration in the courts now there is a big support of the ideas to help endangered witnesses. The financial need of more money for more systems is supported by the government.
The use of videoconferencing systems in the justice is now even supported not only in Germany but throughout the European Union. The project started to gain European-wide recognition since the eJustice-conference in 2007.
Increasing numbers of videoconferencing systems in courts throughout Europe are the result of the project started by the Ministry of justice in Baden-Wuerttemberg.

Lessons Learned

 What are the impact of your initiative and the lessons learned?
By introducing videoconferencing systems in the courtrooms the justice improves the services for victims and witnesses in criminal cases as well as for the parties in civil affaires. The project is a good example for realizing an idea into practice. Therefore not only the project itself but also the way of realizing it is exemplary for a modern administration with highly skilled and motivated employees, short ways of decision and transparency. Starting with only one system now the project is well supported even in other countries so that even cross-border videoconferences in courtrooms are getting state of the art.

Contact Information

Institution Name:   Ministry of Justice
Institution Type:   Government Department  
Contact Person:   Holger Radke
Title:   Councilor  
Telephone/ Fax:   0049711-279-2140
Institution's / Project's Website:   0049711-279-2264
E-mail:   radke@jum.bwl.de  
Address:   Schillerplatz 4
Postal Code:   70173
City:   Stuttgart
State/Province:   Baden-Württemberg
Country:   Germany

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