Virtual Criminal
Justice Network
About Virtual Criminal Justice
Since the COVID-19 pandemic the use of communication technology and digital means in criminal courtrooms around the world has increased considerably: e.g. video-links, AI, e-evidence, zoom trials and even VR courtrooms. Criminal justice systems are now facing fundamental questions: how does technology change traditional concepts of trial, such as participation, and how to properly integrate technological advances into criminal justice? Understanding the use of technology in criminal proceedings calls for a multidisciplinary approach. It is for this reason that the Virtual Criminal Justice Network has been set up.
About the network
The Virtual Criminal Justice Network is an interdisciplinary hub of researchers from fields such as criminal law, sociology, psychology, criminology and language communication to research the use of digital means in criminal proceedings. It aims at developing interdisciplinary research, exchanging ideas and bringing together experts from various disciplines.
The network was launched in Maastricht during the Symposium on Virtual Criminal Trials in June 2023 as the collaboration of Maastricht University, Tilburg University, Sydney University and Lund University.
Projects and events
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We are very excited to announce that funding from Riksbankens Jubileumsfond has been secured for a 2024 Virtual Criminal Justice Conference.
The conference is to be hosted by Lund University, Sweden and held 10-11 June 2024.
Building on the success of our inaugural symposium at Maastricht University in 2023, we plan a 2 day program with five core panels. The final program of the conference will be published here in due course.
Please note that we have secured limited funding to support EU and non-EU travel and accommodation. As for making travel arrangements:
Lund is a 35-minute train ride direct from Copenhagen airport (CPH) which is the closest airport to Lund. Trains run every 20 minutes and cost €15 for a one-way ticket (you can only by singles, 24h tickets or 30-day tickets).
Here is a list of recommended hotel, all of them are in central Lund:
The conference takes place at the School of Social Work, on the Social Science campus, which is in central Lund: https://maps.app.goo.gl/g73s7iU9Cunz85u4A. The conference site and most hotels are a 5-10 minute walk from the train station.
For further questions, please contact: lisa.flower@soc.lu.se
Symposium Virtual Criminal Trials
On 12-13 June 2023, the Virtual Criminal Trials symposium was held at Maastricht Law School in the Netherlands. Goal of the symposium was to gather multidisciplinary perspectives from international scholars on the impact of videolinks on different constitutional and procedural rights, the potential and perceived effects of remote justice on courtroom emotions, empathy and credibility assessment and the future of immersive virtual technology (such as avatars) in the courtroom.
The Symposium was an inspiring event that revealed synergies between scholars as well as subtle differences in approaches across countries. It was kicked off by a keynote speech from Professor Jenia Iontcheva Turner, SMU Law School, Dallas, Texas: ‘What lessons can be learned from the COVID experience’ and then followed by 4 panel sessions on the following topics:
• The dynamics of the trial: courtroom interactions in a virtual session
• The outcome of the trial: judicial decision-making
• The fair trial context: systemic due process values
• The endless potential of technology in the courtroom: how to move forward
Invited guest speakers in the different panels were: L. FLower, C. McKay, E. Rowden, P. Gibbs, S. Landstrom, M. Thommen, J. Hodgson, D. de Vocht, M. Rossner and C. Peristeridou. Participants appeared in-person and online from inter alia Australia, Belgium, England, the Netherlands, Sweden, Switzerland and United States.
Slides of the various presentations will be made available soon
Publications
On courtroom digitalization:
On courtroom interactions:
On courtroom ethnography:
Conversation on research: