By Prior Beharry

THE government wants to discontinue virtual courtrooms at police stations.

However, Minister of Justice Devesh Maharaj stated they will be housed at alternative accommodations with the approval of the Judiciary.

This was revealed at the Standing Finance Committee on Wednesday in response to questioning from PNM MP for Arouca/Lopinot Marvin Gonzales.

Maharaj said there were seven police stations in Trinidad where there were virtual hearings.

He said, “We are currently engaging the Judiciary. The process has started but not yet completed.”

Gonzales asked if the government was going to continue with virtual courtrooms at police stations or review its position.

Maharaj replied, “The current position is that the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service wants back their police stations because some rooms are being used for virtual courtrooms.

“And therefore our intention as the government, is to engage the Judiciary, which really has jurisdiction over courtrooms to ask them to move it out, kindly, into a place where it would be efficient. Hopefully not in police stations because the police want back their spaces.”

Gonzales asked if according to the estimates that $3 million was allocated for virtual courtrooms at police stations.

Maharaj said this was a misnomer, saying that the figure was not for virtual courtrooms in police stations but for the alternative.

He said, “The government will move all virtual courtrooms out of police stations with the consent of the Judiciary. Back to courtrooms established in areas close to these police stations.”