Must Read: A Guide for Virtual Litigation and Conducting Telematic Hearings

Given the declaration of the health emergency due to COVID-19 in Mexico, the suspension of "non-essential activities" was ordered for a specified time. The “essential activities” were not suspended, for which social distancing measures were established. The administration of justice was classified as an essential activity; and therefore, the judicial institutions had to adapt to continue with the administration of justice. Thus, technology gave the possibility of holding public hearings through virtual platforms. Hearings in real time, through videoconferences, became the best option to avoid judicial congestion.

In this context, ABA ROLI's field team in Mexico and the Justice in Mexico Program of the University of San Diego, CA, through their OASIS initiative, collaborated together to develop the Guide (in Spanish) "Virtual Litigation, Guide and Manual of Best Practices for Telematic Hearings". Their purpose is to provide public servants responsible for imparting criminal justice, considerations that guide the holding of oral trials online and avoid postponement of hearings to respect health measures.

The proper use of virtual tools will change the way of building criminal justice and will initiate a procedural revolution in accordance with international standards and criteria. The academic orientation of the Guide contributes to the harmonization of the rights to health and well-being, with the rights of access to justice, judicial protection, truth, reparation, and defense that are recognized to the victims and accused persons.

Learn more about ABA ROLI's programming in Mexico.