Transforming Times in Criminal Justice: Zwickau Leads the Way with e-Files
Embracing the digital age, criminal justice systems in Saxony are altering their approach, with the Zwickau region paving the path. Since mid-July, their police department has moved towards electronic investigation processes, and as of early September, these records can be transmitted to the Zwickau public prosecutor's office and the Ministry of Justice, as declared by the Ministry on Monday. The Zwickau and Hohenstein-Ernstthal district courts are part of this pioneering project. With this transformation, lawyers will soon be able to access files effortlessly and digitally, enabling the justice system to continue functioning seamlessly.
Although other areas are already accustomed to digital files, such as Saxony's labor courts working entirely digitally, the shift towards electronic files in public prosecutor's offices, courts, and police stations for civil matters by the end of 2025 is an significant step forward. Preparations for this transition have been underway since 2019.
As Justice Minister Katja Meier (Greens) put it, "The digitalization of the justice system is not a sprint, but a marathon." The successful start of digital criminal case files in Zwickau has made cooperation easier and bolstered law enforcement. Underlining its commitment to security measures, Meier added, "Great attention will be paid to [maintaining] necessary security standards, ensuring the protection of confidential information during criminal proceedings."
Interior Minister Armin Schuster (CDU) lauded Zwickau for its role as a game-changer in digitalizing the police and judicial systems, expressing the hope that this initiative would result in more expeditious criminal proceedings.
While the shift towards digital justice in Saxony, particularly in the Zwickau region, has been spearheaded by the Zwickau police department since mid-July, more comprehensive information can be found in local resources and official announcements from the Saxonian justice department.
