On the Issue of the Access of Citizens to Justice in the Conditions of Digitalization of Criminal Proceedings

The paper deals with the issues of ensuring access of citizens to justice in the conditions of introduction of digital technologies in criminal proceedings. The authors substantiate the obligation of the judiciary to ensure effective interaction with citizens and professional participants of procedural relations through electronic services and information resources. The paper analyzes socially useful effects from introduction of digital technologies in the mechanisms of court proceedings, as well as some emerging risks. Based on content analysis of Internet sites of the courts, the survey of different social groups, and analysis of the unfolding scientific discussions, the authors draw generalizing conclusions concerning the degree of accessibility of information posted on the relevant Internet pages, readiness of the society to widen the boundaries of digitalization in the field of legal proceedings, problems of introduction of digital technologies in criminal proceedings in comparison with other types of judicial proceedings. Proposals are made to optimize the information support of the activities of the courts. The authors conclude that due to introduction of digital technologies in the field of judicial proceedings a qualitative shift has taken place towards automation and simplification of clerical mechanisms. Search for the necessary information in the vast information field has become easier, as well as other positive social and legal changes have become possible. However, at this stage a complete transition to “digital proceedings”, at least in the field of criminal proceedings, is not possible, on the one hand, due to the very legalistic nature and essence of criminal procedure that requires participation of a human both at the pre-trial stages of the proceedings and at the level of administration of justice. On the other hand, the society is not ready yet to abandon traditional forms of interaction with the judicial system. The latter could inevitably lead to a violation of the right of citizens to access justice, since digital technologies are not yet available for a large group of the population due to a number of objective and subjective causes.