Adopting Information Technology for Executing Criminal Procedures in Court

Abstract

The objective of this research is to develop adoption of information technology to the execution of criminal procedure in court by studying the critical processes of criminal proceedings, judiciary working processes, and related laws of the adoption of the system. Drawbacks of adopting information technology (IT) in criminal cases are also included in the study along with potential impacts on protecting personal rights in criminal cases, as well as court of justice working processes. These act as guidelines for solving problems in appropriately applying IT to criminal court cases. Data was gathered from documents and in-depth interviews. Samples were 30 criminal justice specialists. A case study was made based on factual and practical situations in Don Mueang District Court, Thung Song Kwaeng Court, and others.

Results of this research are the data model for each step of adopting IT in supporting criminal procedures, as well as reduction of procedures by relevant officials and other parties at all levels of work. Moreover, other results include indicators to increase effectiveness of court performance support work as follows: 1) electronic signature system (digital signature) for issuing court orders through court programs; 2) electronic filing system program (e-filing) through the criminal justice system to acquire and exchange information from criminal justice system information sources; 3) the use of witness statement recording system to connect the Court of First Instance, the Court of Appeal, and the Supreme Court; and 4) centralization of the Court of Justice's information center or complete justice system, enabling follow-up on police, prosecution, probation court, correctional judicial process, or other legal proceedings so that information is ready to be used in the management of different information agencies, serving public organizations, and to increase effectiveness in the future.