Press Release

New Oakvideo Arraignment System Debuts in Oakland County

Pontiac, MI, November 23, 2004 -- Oakland County's new OakVideo arraignment system made its official debut today by going "live" at the 43rd District Court in Ferndale.

OakVideo, linked by 400 miles of fiber optic cable, allows instantaneous live point-to-point or multipoint video communication to all district and circuit courts in Oakland County as well as the Prosecutor's Office, jail, booking facilities and law enforcement agencies.

Previously a criminal defendant had to be transported back and forth between the jail and court numerous times during the arraignment process which often took as long as ten days. Instead, with OakVideo, arraignments can be completed within a matter of hours.

The new OakVideo arraignment system will minimize prisoner transport while also improving court security and reducing law enforcement costs.

"We continuously have safety concerns due to the high number of inmates being transported to and from our courts," said 43rd District Chief Judge Joseph Longo. "Our capacity is exceeded on a daily basis resulting in overcrowding. This jeopardizes the security of the public, our court employees, inmates and detainees. Being able to arraign prisoners over videoconferencing not only provides additional security, but speeds up the judicial process".

One of the unique features of OakVideo is the web-based codec control and digital document transfer system which enables law enforcement agencies, prosecutors, community corrections and the courts to save and secure case records on a centralized server with instant retrieval for viewing and printing.

OakVideo allows evidence to be photographed from remote locations and warrants to be digitally signed, then added to the case folder and printed. Before or during a video arraignment, judges can electronically review the case files of defendants.

"OakVideo is yet another milestone in Oakland County's evolution as a world-class leader in the development and implementation of new technology that improves efficiencies, reduces costs and enhances the safety and security for our citizens," said Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson.

OakVideo is an information tool that tracks and records all information regarding a defendant through the entire criminal justice process from booking to sentencing. It provides a database of documents with cross-references including police department case number, prosecutor's case number and court case number.

The $6.8 million OakVideo system, which replaces the current Video Warrants System, is projected to save the county more than $4 million annually by reducing transportation and housing costs for prisoners.

"It just makes practical sense," said Phil Bertolini, Director of the Oakland County Department of Information Technology. "The dollars we spent on the video system are minimal compared to the savings, the gas, the wear and tear on the cars, and the overtime for officers."

For media inquiries only, please contact Bob Dustman, Oakland County Media and Communications Officer, at 248-858-1048.