The Lithuania Integrated Criminal Procedure Information System: Opportunities and Challenges

Abstract

The need for an integrated criminal proceedings information system (IBPS)1 in Lithuania arose due to several important factors related to improving the efficiency, transparency, and quality of criminal proceedings. Global trends and technological innovations required Lithuania to adapt to modern standards of legal process management. An integrated information system enables more efficient management of legal information, reduces administrative burdens, and simplifies process management. The IBPS system was developed and launched in Lithuania in 2015. The system has automated many stages of the criminal process such as case registration, document management, decision-making, and follow-up, thereby ensuring a faster and smoother process. This has helped to reduce the time needed to investigate cases and improved the overall efficiency of the system. With the help of this system, investigators can quickly and easily access important information such as case data, court decisions and legal documents. The IBPS system stores data collected by pre-trial investigation authorities, enabling the court and other law enforcement officials to quickly access the information they need and make informed decisions. The digitised process helps reduce errors and corruption, as the system offers greater transparency and traceability. All actions and decisions are recorded, which helps to ensure accountability and reliability. The IBPS facilitates easier and more effective cooperation among different law enforcement agencies (courts, prosecutors, police, and other institutions) as all data is integrated and easily accessible. The integration of electronic systems significantly reduces the volume of paper documents and the human resources required, thereby cutting administrative costs and increasing the efficiency of legal work. The IBPS is integrated with the Lithuanian Court Information System (hereinafter referred to as LITEKO), which now includes an additional Pre-Trial Investigation Module that must be used by all pre-trial investigation judges and court staff who handle pre-trial investigation data. Judges and court staff can use IBPS to access pre-trial investigation case files prepared by pre-trial investigation authorities and forwarded to the court, record their pre-trial investigation activities (such as scheduling hearings, recording hearing results, etc.), and create or upload procedural documents that have been accepted. The system collects data from pre-trial investigation authorities on criminal offences, initiated pre-trial investigations, actions taken during pre-trial investigations, and pre-trial investigation case data, as well as statistical data on pre-trial investigations. As a member of the European Union, Lithuania must implement EU legislation and standards that promote modernisation and digitisation of law enforcement agencies. The IBPS meets these requirements and contributes to the improvement of the overall EU legal system.