How Virtual Courts Operate and What a Video Arraignment Means

Today, the justice system is embracing technology through virtual courts and video arraignments, which are becoming increasingly common across different jurisdictions. This modern approach reduces geographical and time barriers, streamlines legal proceedings, and lowers costs for both courts and participants.

In this article, we will explore:

• what a virtual court is and how it functions,
• the role of video arraignments and why they matter,
• what participants can expect during these proceedings,
• and the key benefits of adopting such technologies.

By making justice more accessible, efficient, and cost-effective, virtual courts are reshaping how legal systems operate. Let’s take a closer look at how they work in practice.

What is Virtual Court and the Key Benefits for Participants

A virtual court, alternatively called a digital court or e-court, constitutes a framework for conducting legal proceedings remotely, utilizing digital tools such as video conferencing, electronic document submission, and online messaging. The importance of digital courts lies in their ability to modernize and simplify the legal system, enhancing accessibility, efficiency, and robustness. Here are the main benefits for participants:

• Accessibility: Virtual courts eliminate geographical limitations, enabling people to participate in legal proceedings regardless of their location.
• Efficiency: Leveraging technology, digital courts speed up legal processes, resulting in prompt resolution of cases and reduction of case backlog. Remote hearings, electronic document submission, and online communication tools streamline administrative tasks.
• Cost-effectiveness: Virtual courts reduce costs by eliminating the necessity for physical courtrooms, reducing travel costs, and minimizing administrative overhead.
• Resilience: Digital courts demonstrate resilience in the face of unforeseen circumstances, such as natural disasters or health emergencies. By enabling remote participation, they ensure the continuity of court proceedings even in situations where physical presence is not possible.
• Enhanced security: Digital court typically includes robust security measures to ensure the confidentiality and consistency of the judicial process.

What is a Video Arraignment in Court?

Video arraignment is a modern judicial process where defendants appear before a judge via video link instead of being physically present in court. This approach is primarily used for initial court hearings, during which defendants are informed of the charges against them, advised of their legal rights, and, if necessary, their bail is discussed. The method has become increasingly common in today’s legal systems due to its practical advantages and the ability for various types of lawyers—such as defense attorneys, public defenders, and legal aid representatives—to participate remotely when needed.

Benefits of Video Arraignment in Court

• Conducting remote video arraignment is much cheaper: there is no need to spend money on travel or on staff services. Thus, citizens have better access to justice.
• Virtual courts allow attorneys to handle a large number of cases in a day, and they can litigate in any court in any part of the country.
• Witness testimony can now be provided from a safer environment. Virtual case hearings are less traumatic for children, women, and victims than hearings in a physical courtroom.
• You can view the case files or photo materials with Internet connection at any time.
• There is a huge backlog of cases in the courts, which reduces the confidence of citizens in the judicial system. With the help of video proceedings, cases can be resolved in a timely manner or even faster.

Case Study: Department of Justice and Home Affairs

In Zurich, the Department of Justice and Home Affairs faced ongoing challenges with transporting inmates and witnesses to courtrooms across the canton. Each trip required extensive resources, strict security measures, and carried risks for both staff and detainees.

To solve this, the department introduced a secure video conferencing network powered by TrueConf Server. Courtrooms and correctional facilities were connected through encrypted, on-premises infrastructure, enabling judges, lawyers, and inmates to participate in hearings without leaving their locations.

The results were immediate: transportation costs dropped, risks decreased, and hearings became faster and more efficient. Today, video arraignments and testimonies are an integral part of Zurich’s legal system, improving accessibility while strengthening overall security.

Read full case study here.

How to Prepare for a Remote Court Hearing as a Legal Representative

1. Minimize Complications

Think ahead about what device you want to use in video hearing. Study the application features, make sure that your camera and microphone are working properly. Also accept the fact that you may face technical difficulties, so take enough time for preparation and testing.

2. Discover Collaboration Tools

Before running a video meeting, make sure you know how to use collaboration tools, such as a self hosted chat server, file sharing, video or photo exchange, etc. You can combine all necessary documents and files in one folder to easily send them to other participants if necessary.

Some courts allow you to use the screen share feature to provide the hearing materials. This tool helps the defense or prosecution to present important evidence and testimony to the court remotely. Make sure there is nothing on your screen that you want others in the trial to see.

3. Observe Traditional Courtroom Decorum

Make sure your demeanor and appearance conform to official style. Be courteous to all participants in the judicial conference. Usually, cases are handled strictly according to court rules. If it is a role-based conference, the moderator invites speakers in a certain order. Use a raise hand function to make comments without interrupting the judge. If you’re a legal professional participating remotely, maintaining professionalism is also crucial for public perception—especially when sessions are recorded or shared online, as it can impact SEO for lawyers and law firms.

4. Monitor your Audio and Video Status

Make sure that you do not create any interference for the court procedure: try to isolate yourself from noizy surroundings and, if possible, blur your background. If it is not your turn to speak, use the audio mute feature to avoid creating unnecessary noise and disable your video. Once your case is called, turn your video back on, unmute yourself, and proceed with your hearing.

Optimize Virtual Court Hearings with the Right Video Conferencing Technology

TrueConf is fully committed to protecting user data and ensuring compliance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) — the EU regulation that governs how organizations handle personal data of individuals within the European Economic Area.

As a self-hosted video conferencing solution, TrueConf gives organizations complete control over data processing and storage. Unlike many cloud-based services, TrueConf allows meetings and communications to stay within your private network, eliminating the need to transfer sensitive information through third-party servers. This approach supports GDPR principles such as data minimization, purpose limitation, and data sovereignty.