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Bill allows more use of audio visual links in court

A bill that will allow greater use of audio visual links in courtrooms passed its first reading in Parliament yesterday.The Courts (Remote Participation) Bill is the first of several the Government intends introducing to modernise and speed up criminal co

NZPA
Wed, 24 Mar 2010

A bill that will allow greater use of audio visual links in courtrooms passed its first reading in Parliament yesterday.

The Courts (Remote Participation) Bill is the first of several the Government intends introducing to modernise and speed up criminal court procedure.

Justice Minister Simon Power said greater use of video links would improve court efficiency, increase safety and security, increase access to justice and improve the quality of evidence heard in courtrooms.

"Witnesses can already appear by video link," he said.

"This bill means counsel and defendants, and even judges and juries, could appear by video link."

Mr Power said the bill allowed the court to decide when it was appropriate to use audio visual links.

"I'm not at the point where I want to see defendants sentenced via audio visual link, but for procedural matters I see no good reason why the technology can't be routinely used."

Audio visual links are already commonplace in countries such as Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom and the United States.

Labour supported the bill on its first reading and it has been sent to the justice select committee for public submissions.

NZPA
Wed, 24 Mar 2010
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Bill allows more use of audio visual links in court
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