Sheriff Smith wants closed circuit court testimony

CARMEL – Putnam County Sheriff Donald Smith has called for a change in state law that would permit the use of electronic court appearances in Putnam.

In a letter to state, county and local officials, the sheriff urged support for the amendment, which would change the law to authorized court appearances of persons in custody via a two-way, closed circuit, audio-visual system.

Rather than being physically transported from the county jail to a courtroom, a detainee would participate in legal proceedings remotely from a designated space inside the Putnam County Jail.

Current law authorizes pilot programs for electronic court monitoring in a limited number of jurisdictions. The closest one to Putnam is in the Town of Mount Pleasant in Westchester County.
Each year, Putnam County corrections officers perform about 200 transports, escorting hundreds of prisoners to a number of courts.

“Allowing electronic court appearances will reduce the number of prisoner transports annually, which will enhance public safety and security, reduce congestion in courts, diminish escape risks and other potential liability inherent in inmate trips, and cut down on overtime and travel expenses,” said Sheriff Smith. “At the same time, the system will preserve the legal rights of defendants and facilitate the efficient work of judges, court staff and attorneys.”