An open letter signed by 59 individuals representing organisations including Children England, Become, the Association of Youth Offending Team Managers and the Centre for Mental Health warns that video link appearances can exacerbate communication difficulties experienced by many children, making it hard to consult their lawyer properly or communicate with the judge.
"[Video link] is being deployed for first appearances, remand and sentencing hearings, despite strong indications that it impedes children's participation in the process, prejudices outcomes and undermines the seriousness of proceedings," the letter states.
The letter adds that the government is pressing ahead with proposals to increase the use of video links for child defendants as part of the digital court reform programme and has even suggested that they should have the ability to enter a plea to serious crimes on their mobile phones.
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