Samenvatting

In 2007 the option of videoconferencing for the hearing of witnesses and the questioning of accused persons in criminal proceedings was introduced in the Dutch Code of Criminal Procedure. So far videoconferencing has only scarcely been used in criminal proceedings, mostly because of a lack of technical means. This however should change rapidly, because of the installation of videoconferencing facilities in all criminal courts and prisons. It remains to be seen whether judges will be convinced that scrutinizing witnesses and accused persons through an audiovisual connection is an acceptable alternative to face-to-face proceedings. If so, the use of videoconferencing can be applied in a wide range of situations, varying from decisions on the pre-trial detention of accused persons to the hearing of witnesses in a criminal trial.