Convicted persons will be able to participate in court hearings via videoconference

Convicted persons will be able to participate in court hearings via videoconference from their place of detention.

The measure, initiated by PNL as a supplement to the Criminal Code, was debated by the Chamber of Deputies and received the support of all parliamentary groups.

The participation of persons deprived of their liberty in court hearings via videoconference ensures the rapid conduct of trials, the reduction of transportation costs, but also an increase in public safety by limiting the movement of convicts, emphasized PNL deputy Alina Gorghiu.

Alina Gorghiu: Procedural rights are fully respected. The videoconference hearing with detainees is held in the presence of the lawyer and, if necessary, in the presence of the interpreter, and the court decides at any time to physically bring the detainee when it deems this necessary.

The measures proposed by the draft law were also supported by Verginia Vedinas from SOS Romania.

Verginia Vedinas: There are certainly areas in which computerization brings an added quality in terms of the conduct of criminal trials, and this draft normative act manages to do this.

The draft law has a favorable report from the parliamentary committees and awaits the final vote on Wednesday in the Chamber of Deputies, the decision-making body in this case.

Translated by: Radu Matei