Justice and EPS team up for
high-tech bail hearings
By Jason Chance
An offender's first contact with the justice system is with the police. The second is with a justice of the peace during a bail hearing.
In the Edmonton Bail Hearing office, appearances can take place day or night. In the past, arrested individuals would be transported to the office for their appearance. This would often result in delays between appearances, as well as create safety concerns for staff, police and the public.
Now, thanks to a new high-tech videoconference link, these bail hearings take place through cyberspace with the accused never leaving the security of the Arrest Processing Unit at Edmonton Police Service headquarters.
Not only is the technology reliable, it will ensure an accused's right to a fair hearing. Because audio and video is transmitted in real-time, conversations are conducted as if in person, with body language, eye contact and facial expressions all clearly visible through a monitor in the justice of the peace's office.
The new office also includes a separate room where lawyers or family members can view the bail hearing on closed-circuit television.
Justice Minister Dave Hancock and Edmonton Police Service Chief Bob Wasylyshen opened the bail hearing office during a media event in January. Chief Judge of the Provincial Court Ernest Walter and Provincial Court Judge Ed Wachowich joined the Minister and Chief for a tour of the facility and a demonstration of the videoconference link in action.
