Modern large diameter plasma TV screens in court may help in cases where the victims are vulnerable or children have to give evidence, it is argued.

It’s suggested conviction rates in England and Wales as a whole could be higher than they are – in other words, some guilty individuals may be escaping because their victims aren’t giving evidence effectively.

Ruth Johnson of our Criminal Department comments:  “Whilst you may think it’s simply a question of which technology will deliver the best picture quality, offer optimum performance or indeed guarantee energy efficiency you would be wrong in thinking so.  It is possible that a large screen television is capable of securing better conviction rates in the Crown Court. 

“According to the article in the Law Gazette recently, conviction rates in England and Wales could be higher than they are if more Crown Courts were provided with large video screens.

“Equipping Courts with large video screens in Court, allows witnesses to give oral evidence by way of a TV video link connecting them to the Court room from another location within the Court precinct, thereby removing the need for personal appearance in the Court room and affording a vulnerable witness greater confidence and security in giving evidence.  Surely a positive step for the justice system in England and Wales?

“So why are at least 9 Crown Courts still without this technology?

“Whilst these television screens may take up less space, can be mounted on walls and look incredibly stylish, they may also assist to guarantee higher conviction rates, not simply guarantee energy efficiency and deliver justice in cases with vulnerable witnesses not simply deliver the best picture quality.  An interesting thought…”

"I'd be fascinated to know if conviction rates have risen locally in these cases since the introduction of large video screens in the Crown Court".

For further reading, please see the Law Gazette website archive page which can be located at:- www.lawgazette.co.uk