Published: Thursday, May 3, 2007
Video arraignments to begin
NEWTON FALLS — Newton Falls Municipal Court will begin conducting video arraignments from the Trumbull County Jail at 11 a.m. Tuesday. "What was impossible just a few weeks ago is now a reality. We have a wireless video in-court/in-jail arraignment system linking our jail to our most distant court," Sheriff Thomas Altiere said Wednesday.
Municipal Judge Lawrence S. Turner expressed his appreciation to other video arraignment judges in Warren and Girard municipal courts for assisting in the program.
The judge pointed specifically to Judges Terry Ivanchak and Thomas P. Gysegem of Warren Municipal Court for donating their older in-court equipment to save the Newton Falls court several thousands of dollars.
By no longer requiring police officers to transport and return prisoners from Warren to Newton Falls, it is estimated the video hookup will save about $300,000 annually.
"I am very concerned not only about the costs of transporting of prisoners, but also about the safety of such transport for the prisoners, officers and the community," Judge Turner said.
The video arraignments here will thereafter take place Mondays and Thursdays.
In addition to arraignments, the judge said he will conduct probation violation and other hearings early Thursday mornings before Warren and Girard municipal courts begin using the video equipment in the jail.
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