Information technology in judicial procedures

challenges in the use of videoconferencing for hearings and trials

Resumo

Before the COVID-19 disease, videoconferencing was used mostly for specific circumstances in judicial proceedings. During the pandemic, its use became widespread as an alternative to in-person hearings. It is already recognized that videoconferencing reduces costs and time spent in judicial proceedings and broadens access to justice. Nevertheless, important criticism is raised referring to the possible violation of justice values. In this paper, we used content analyses of 25 academic research to describe the main concerns relating to virtual judicial hearings. Two dimensions of concern emerged from our review. The first is related to problems that affect the good use of videoconferencing, and the second relates to the use of videoconferencing per se.