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Major shopping centres such as Westfield in White City are to get “cyber courts” to hand out instant justice to petty offenders such as shoplifters.
Police are in talks about setting up “virtual” courtrooms where offenders will be sentenced via video links to magistrates. The plan was revealed today as Justice Secretary Jack Straw opened London's first such scheme at Camberwell Green magistrates' court.
Mr Straw said: “Virtual courts have the potential to transform how the justice system deals with crimes.”
The Camberwell court is linked to Charing Cross police station and has already dealt with two drink-driving cases while the system was being tested last week. One driver pleaded guilty at a police station and was sentenced less than four hours after he was caught.
Eventually the scheme is designed to save £10 million a year in courtroom administration and prison transport costs. Over the summer 14 police stations across London will be linked to the system, handling an estimated 15,000 cases a year.
For anyone accused of an offence, taking part in the pilot scheme is voluntary. Defendants could also be bailed or remanded in custody at the courts if they are suspected of a more serious offence.
Senior police sources say they are examining the possibility of extending the scheme to shopping centres which deal with a high volume of petty offenders. Critics of the plan say it could limit the ability of defence lawyers to put together a strong case and undermine the gravitas of the judicial process by making it appear like a reality TV game.
But Mr Straw said the courts “are vital in the Government's drive to deliver swift justice — resolving cases faster, freeing up police time and improving the service given to victims, witnesses and defendants”.
He added: “Although at an early stage, this pilot helps the courts, police, prosecutors, defence lawyers and the judiciary work better together to deliver quicker and more effective justice without any loss of quality.
“The faster we get justice done, the more we improve public confidence in the criminal justice system as whole.”
If successful, the London pilot could save £2.2 million a year. Other police stations taking part include Brixton, Kennington, Streatham, Peckham, Walworth, Lewisham, Plumstead, Bromley, Croydon, South Norwood, Sutton, Paddington Green, Belgravia and Bexleyheath.
Reader views (23)
Another tired part nu-Labours of the SPEEDY, SUMMARY, JUSTICE agenda... the fact that it achieves nothing is by the by... Yes, more people will be convicted (looks good in the press release), but will the punishment applied by this 'cyber' do anything positive for the offender or for society as a whole? Another pointless 'Community Rehabilitation Order'...
- Jon, London, 27/05/2009 17:28
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The REAL issue is that this Government has never been interested in cracking down on crime. The whole policy of sentencing needs to be overhauled. Anyone remember the "three strikes" policy? How has that gone I wonder.
- Jb, London, 27/05/2009 16:54
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What are the set-up costs and how many cases do these virtual courts think they'll deal with? As usual I'm sure this is just another headline, with no substance to make the Nu Labour idiots feel like they're doing something.
- Mark, London, 27/05/2009 16:32
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Spot the dying throws of a Loony-Left-Labour party. A political entity I do not wish to see in power again during my life time.
- Frank, Home Counties, England., 27/05/2009 15:23
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I’m assuming this option is only when the defendant pleads guilty and therefore there will be tremendous pressure put on the defendant to do so, without being offered proper representation and advice whether it is in their best interests. It also raises concerns whether it allows the defendants legal representative time to prepare their case. Overall I suspect it has more to do with reaching targets on clear up and conviction rates than a serious attempt to tackle crime. The net effect will just be to erode respect for the legal system and defendants rights.
- Nj, London, 27/05/2009 15:08
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This hare-brained scheme is more to do with saving money than about justice.
- Reuben Camara, Morecambe/Lancaster, 27/05/2009 14:33
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This is just lynch mob justice - the same as the old stocks. But it fits well with our morally bankrupt government.
- Thomas, London, 27/05/2009 13:52
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This looks to be a 'quick fix'way of doing something about the problem but I feel that we will find that the fines will be something to be desired?
A slapped wrist here, a suspended sentence there?
How would we know if it was a 'first time offence' without the checks that can be done at a police station?
Again, something that looks good but but in truth is taking our justice system down to a new lower level.
- P. C., rainham. essex., 27/05/2009 13:32
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Maybe they should start with a court at the House of Commons.
- Shallotman, Basildon, 27/05/2009 13:30
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The word 'kangaroo' comes to mind for some reason. Again, the emphasis is on saving money...
- Jd, Bradford, 27/05/2009 13:29
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I notice Sutton was in the list, perhaps Sutton council can build a virtual reality centre next to the one they're already building on the site of a youth club at a cost of £8 million.
- Bob, Cheam, 27/05/2009 13:28
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Instant Courts to deal with the serious crimes being committed by our corrupt MPs would speed up the cleaning up of the cesspit which Westminster has become, and would be a means of ensuring these crooks are made repay the money they fraudulently claimed.
- R.F., Yorks, UK, 27/05/2009 13:11
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Mr Straw said: “Virtual courts have the potential to transform how the justice system deals with crimes.”
Does this include fraud jack ?
As in claiming for money you shouldn't ?
- P Staker, London, 27/05/2009 13:01
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Why is the majority of the Police Stations taking part all South of the Thames? Any readers care to guess?
- Joannie, London, England, 27/05/2009 12:35
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"undermine the gravitas of the judicial process by making it appear like a reality TV game"
Why not. Most of the shoplifting classes know nothing other than what is seen on 50" TV soaps, games shows and reality programmes.
- Bj, London, 27/05/2009 12:27
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I await the installation of a Virtual Courtroom at the Houses of Parliament!
- Johnofenfield, Enfield, UK, 27/05/2009 12:20
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Read " Kingdom Come " by JG Ballard ........
- Elizabeth, London, 27/05/2009 11:46
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This is a dumb idea. Thieves and the general public won't cooperate or take the resulys seriously
- Keith Price, Luton, England, 27/05/2009 11:43
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I find it enlightening that New Labours Justice Secretary, Jack Straw; is setting up “virtual” courtrooms where offenders will be sentenced via video links to magistrate’s courts etc.
Now perhaps we can get all his MP friends into court; to face the charges they should be facing, and not hiding away from justice like they are at the moment etc.
Whilst he is in talks with the police about setting up these virtual courts; could he ask the Metropolitan police why they have not yet arrested any of his bent politicians?
Or does Mr Jack Straw think justice and the law; only applies to others ?
I await the arrests of all the bent and corrupt politicians with anticipation; but I won’t hold my breath that any of them will face justice; either old style justice, or his new style cyber justice.
Jack Straw, makes Stalin look like the Pope.
- Mickyinlondon, london, 27/05/2009 11:34
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Are defendents going to have advise from the legal proffesion before put in front of a cyber court?
or is it just a rail road job and compensation claims later for wrongful arrest and human right breaches or shoddy evedence
- Terry Chambers, London, 27/05/2009 11:22
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Are they going to extend the experiment to the Houses of Parliament?
- Alan, carlisle uk, 27/05/2009 10:58
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What next televised hangings? Oh sorry don't want to give the mother of all democracies any more bright ideas.
- Ken, WA USA, 27/05/2009 10:50
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Sounds more like a Wallaby Court Jack.
- Ge, Cornwall, Nation of, 27/05/2009 10:13
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