Videoconferencing as a modern method of overcoming counteraction to criminal prosecution

The article highlights the issues of videoconferencing with suspects and accused persons held in detention centers in order to improve the effectiveness and quality of criminal proceedings, comply with procedural deadlines, apply new methods for collecting and securing evidence in the case, ensure the safety of the criminal case, including counter-prosecution prevention. The aim of the article is to analyze the development and features of further use of videoconferencing in criminal cases with persons held in pretrial detention centers in accordance with the Criminal Procedure Code. The author gives a generalized description of countering the prosecution by detained persons. The research objectives was an attempt to assess the reasonability and need in videoconferencing for questioning witnesses during judicial investigation in pretrial detention centers. At present there are all the prerequisites for broader use of this system for trials. Most pretrial detention centers of the penal system have videoconferencing equipment with further implementation and improvement of the system. On the basis of this study the author proposes to use videoconferencing in order to ensure the safety of witnesses in pre-trial detention centers, as counter-prosecution prevention. Its description and key features are given. This direction is complemented by the fact that interrogation of witnesses without disclosing the true identity of the witness under conditions precluding the visual observation of the witness by the other members of the trial is frequent in criminal trials. In some cases, defendants and witnesses are held in a detention facility during the proceedings and, if interrogation under conditions precluding visual observation is required, individuals are taken to court almost simultaneously. Accordingly, there is no observance of secrecy in the preparation of the highly complex event. Therefore, the defendant, knowing the identity of witnesses, has the opportunity to confront the prosecution by influencing the trial participants (witnesses).

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