First Scotland prisoner to videoconference wins appeal
As reported by this blog, videoconferencing systems have been sweeping through the United States one court system at a time. But, in addition to the U.S., some countries across the globe are beginning to implement the technologies in their courts as well. One example of this comes from Scotland, where on October 10 the first man to use videoconferencing in a Scottish court got his prison sentence reduced during an appeal, according to The Courrier.
Christopher Wilkie was charged with aggravations of serious injury and danger to life last year after he allegedly attacked a man with a pair of scissors or similar instrument.
After his trial, the jury dismissed the allegations of Wilkie kicking or stabbing the man but left the same charges. Wilkie's lawyer defended him on the basis that he could not receive the same charges if he did not commit these particular acts of violence, making his sentencing excessive.
According to the source, Wilkie was shown a split screen television in a room at the Barlinnie prison. On other side of the screen were the judges, court staff and lawyers in the Edinburgh courtroom.
Not only was the entire appeal done this way, but it was convincing enough that the judges saw fit to appeal Wilkie's charges to a lesser degree and, therefore, shorten his sentence to 16 months.
For litigators in the Midwest that want to ensure their clients are represented as best and most conveniently as possible, they may want to partner with real-time court reporters that also offer video deposition services. In doing so, they will allow their clients to be deposed or testify from anywhere while ensuring they have the most accurate deposition transcripts.
