[November 22, 2008] Video arraignment systems installed in Livingston Co. courts Tweet PONTIAC, Nov 22, 2008 (The Pantagraph - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- Procedures are changing at the Livingston County Courthouse in an effort to increase security and efficiency. Video arraignment systems were installed in two courtrooms about two weeks ago. Prisoners now will be arraigned from the jail via video conferencing, which will save time and money on transportation and increase courthouse safety. "One of the main issues is that (an arraignment) can be a dangerous time to take these people to court," said Bill Fairfield, chairman of the county's information technology committee. "These are people who they don't know that much about and may not know about any gang affiliation or violent family situations." The systems are in the courtrooms of Circuit Judge Jennifer Bauknecht and Associate Judge Robert Travers. Another system may be installed in the courtroom of Associate Judge Mark Fellheimer. The project cost $94,348. The county had budgeted $150,000. "The No. 1 benefit is security, as we are not bringing as many people in and out of the building, so our security officers can continue to keep their eyes on the whole facility," she said. Bauknecht said the system can be moved if a new Law and Justice Center is built. Another change will be to the jury calendar. Beginning in March, one-week jury calendars will happen 10 or 11 months of the year. Previously, the court used a two-week calendar for five months, which involved three and sometimes a fourth courtroom. The new schedule will help with space issues and juror availability. Longer trials would be moved to a special jury calendar. Bauknecht also said a bailiff will help on high-volume days to direct people to the upstairs courtrooms. To see more of The Pantagraph, or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://www.pantagraph.com. Copyright (c) 2008, The Pantagraph, Bloomington, Ill. Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services. For reprints, email [email protected], call 800-374-7985 or 847-635-6550, send a fax to 847-635-6968, or write to The Permissions Group Inc., 1247 Milwaukee Ave., Suite 303, Glenview, IL 60025, USA. [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]