Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
BESSEMER — When two people suspected of dealing heroin in an Ironwood motel were arraigned in court this week, it was accomplished by videoconferencing, even though the Gogebic County Jail is only a short walk from the county courthouse in Bessemer.
There are many reasons videoconferencing is working effectively in courtrooms throughout Michigan.
Michigan Supreme Court Justice David F. Viviano reported this week expanded use of videoconferencing technology to create "virtual" courtrooms has saved the Michigan Department of Corrections nearly $5 million over the past two years. Prisoners can participate in court hearings without security risks and traditional costs involved in transporting them to court.
"Videoconferencing is common sense technology that saves time and money," Viviano said. "At the same time, not transporting prisoners reduces risk. That’s a win-win."
Currently, a total of 417 courtrooms in Michigan have videoconferencing capabilities. Since its launch in 2010, the program has expanded so that high-definition videoconferencing is installed in at least one circuit, district and probate court in all 83 counties.
Seventy-eight counties now have videoconferencing systems in every courtroom.
In Gogebic County, the videoconference system is also used by the county board of commissioners to save on costs of attending meetings hundreds of miles away.
MDOC said “video” transports represent around 30 percent of requested court proceedings.
Also, deputy sheriffs are freed up for other public safety functions, instead of transporting prisoners.
Partners with the Michigan Supreme Court in the project include the Michigan State Police Forensic Lab and state mental health facilities. Through the initiative, police technicians can also use videoconferencing to participate in arraignments, pre--trial conferences and other court hearings without the time and expense of travel.
Videoconferencing is part of a Supreme Court priority to help local trial courts improve efficiency and service to the public by implementing new technology, Viviano said.
He said cutting the number of judges statewide by 40 is saving taxpayers $6.4 million annually.