by Nick Lillitos
nlillitos@thekmgroup.co.uk

Instant virtual justice – get charged, plead guilty, get sentenced right away in the police station.

A pilot trial has just started at Maidstone and Tonbridge police stations that will link them by two-way video screen to the magistrates, enabling the court to instantly deal with the defendant after being charged.

It is expected to save around five to six weeks of legal delays and if successful, will be rolled out to all Kent custody suites.

Bench, prosecutors and probation are located at the magistrates court, while the defence solicitor can be at either location.

It means that those who plead guilty will not have to be bailed to appear in court at a later date. For police, it will result in them being back on the streets quicker instead of sitting in court for days on end.

But many solicitors around the country have expressed concerns, including the Law Society.

Its members argue that defendants have a fundamental right to attend court and be judged by someone who can look them in the eye. They also argue that it will be harder for solicitors to negotiate with the prosecution or their client if in a different location.

Full story in today's Kent Messenger