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District judges linked to video conference system |
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Written by Publisher
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Friday, 27 March 2009 |
Photo by Ted Lutz
District Judge Michael Kennedy of Kane sits in front of a monitor for a new video conferencing system now in use by district judges in McKean County. The system will enable judges to conduct preliminary arraignments for defendants without having them brought into their courtroom from jail. The judge will be able to see the defendant and the defendant will be able to see the judge while the proceeding is taking place in front of a monitor equipped with a camera.
By Ted Lutz
Republican Staff
High-tech has come to the local judicial system.
A new video conference program enables district judges in McKean County to conduct real-time judicial proceedings even though the defendants are in another locale.
Although they are miles apart, the judge and defendant see each other as they look into separate 20-inch monitors. A camera on the monitors crisply displays their faces on the screens. High-quality sound enables the judge and defendant to carry on a conversation as they see each other face-to-face on the screens.
The video conferences primarily will be used for preliminary arraignments when a judge reads the “rights” for the defendant as well as the list of criminal charges. The judge also sets bail at this arraignment.
Preliminary hearings still will take place in the district courtrooms.
While the system is linked through the Internet, it is not in the public domain. Only judges and law enforcement personnel have access to the secure system.
When the system is completely installed, judges will be able to arraign defendants who are in local police stations or at the McKean County Jail near Smethport.
Kane Police Chief Brian Hillard is in the process of obtaining equipment to link the Kane Police Station to the system.
“We’re using technology to make the process more time efficient, less expensive and safer,” District Judge Michael Kennedy of Kane said Thursday.
When a defendant is taken to the county jail, police have had to later transport the prisoner back to the district judge’s courtroom for arraignment. The video conferences will cut out the transportation costs as well as the time for a police officer to shuttle the prisoner from the jail to the judge’s office.
With the defendant arraigned right from jail, the person will have less of an opportunity to escape.
“It’s a lot more efficient,” Judge Kennedy said in commenting on the video conference system.
The system is a Polycom HDX 4000 series.
According to the manufacturer, the system is “clearly the best video solution for nearly any application.” “It delivers the richest audio, clearest and sharpest video, most transparent technology and easiest to use interface,” the company says in touting the system.
Judge Kennedy agrees with the company’s claim.
“It’s beautiful,” he said in describing what he calls the “best picture” he’s ever seen on a monitor. He said the system allows for a “split screen” to show both ends of a face-to-face conversation at the same time.
While the video conference system primarily will be used for arraignments, the judges also can use the network to issue “protection from abuse (PTA)” orders and search warrants.
Judge Kennedy, now in his 16th year as a district judge in Kane, said the video conference system has been authorized by the state Supreme Court.
Judge Kennedy said he is so impressed with the quality of the system that he plans to obtain equipment to link with his home Internet connection. This equipment will give him the ability to conduct off-hour arraignments without coming into his office in Kane.
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Last Updated ( Thursday, 30 July 2009 )
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