Paul Whittaker CBE Crown Prosecution Service. Digitising Criminal Justice In partnership with the CJS Efficiency Programme

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1 Paul Whittaker CBE Crown Prosecution Service Digitising Criminal Justice In partnership with the CJS Efficiency Programme

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3 The Vision: End-to-end digital process Mountains of case paperwork still being printed routine use of digital case files in criminal justice proceedings Over 800,000 prisoner escorts for court appearances last year Digital court presenting evidence electronically

4 What has been achieved so far. Police forces sending the majority of case material to CPS digitally. 100% magistrates courts are able to receive digital case files from the CPS. 100% of CPS areas are transferring information for pre-sentence reviews electronically to the National Offender Management Service. 75% of cases in some CPS areas are already being presented electronically. All CPS advocates have a mobile device for prosecuting digitally in court.

5 Digital Evidence - CCTV CCTV evidence is a powerful tool but is only effective if there are agreed national interoperability standards between police repositories and CPS/HMCTS. Poor quality images or incompatible systems are difficult to manage and in some cases cannot be used as reliable evidence. Businesses need to change how CCTV is used by applying consistent standards. Securing an early guilty plea through confronting a defendant with compelling evidence at the earliest possible opportunity could save the CPS, Police officers, victims, witnesses, and court time as well as taxpayer s money.

6 Streamlined Digital File what is it? The new Streamlined Digital File will ensure the benefits of digital working are designed into a new file-building process from the point of allegation. Nine police force areas selected to test one or a range of the digital files (known as Streamlined Digital Files) against a range of common offence types being tested. The file is being built initially for common offence types like trafficrelated crimes (in support of dedicated traffic courts) retail theft, theft against a person, alcohol-related offences, and common assaults. The next stage is to develop these files and further test the full range of offences in advance of any national rollout.

7 Concept Digital Courtroom Evidence presentation will work with Video Linking technology through the same display screens. A digital solution for the magistrates bench will allow access to case information without the need for paper including in the retiring room. The Magistrates In Court Presentation Solution will make possible to present digital evidence in court. Presenters can quickly and easily link up content held on their own devices for viewing in open court. Wi-Fi for professional court users enables access to case management systems and/or secure accounts from within the courtroom, and key areas around the courthouse. The Magistrates Incourt presentation solution will also provide second screens for advocates. A new HMCTS Case Management Store will underpin more efficient cross-system working in the criminal courts by ensuring case paperwork is held in, and accessible to the CPS, Courts staff, Defence practitioners, probation officers, the Judiciary and the Magistracy

8 What s next? Secured investment for 4 digital solutions: Professional Court User Wi-Fi In-court presentation in the magistrates courts Bench solution for the magistrates courts A robust data store Working to secure investment for: a digital solution for the Crown Court

9 Professional Court User Wi-Fi Reduction in downtime in the courtroom should lead to greater throughput of cases per session and reduce adjournments. Connection to the Crown Prosecution Service case management system and other home systems from within the courtroom will allow missing information required in court to be retrieved digitally. Professional Court User Wi-Fi will allow all professional court users to work more productively, saving time and allowing cases to be progressed more effectively.

10 In Court Presentation in the magistrates courts Reduces/removes the need to use DVD players, reformat CCTV, and produce paper copies of evidence and case material. Offers the potential for digital evidence to be presented simply and reliably at first hearing avoiding unnecessary trials. Will help improve transparency by making evidence more accessible to the defendant, victims, witnesses and the public in the courtroom. Compatible with use of existing video links.

11 The Future The Common Platform Programme (CPP) is a once in a generation opportunity to change the way the CJS works. Developing a unified business process that provides common access to stakeholders in order to improve cross-cjs working and deliver better outcomes for society. CPP will remove unnecessary routine administrative tasks, by developing flexible IT to support the new processes. CPP is being taken forward as a joint programme of work between HMCTS & CPS.