KEY POINTS:
Justice Minister Mark Burton says there will be strict regulations on videos used in court evidence after fears were raised that offenders would see them as trophies.
Mr Burton said video records used as evidence in court would be subject to a ban on copying and stringent regulations on their storage, use and return.
The Evidence Act, passed in November but not yet in effect, changes evidence law on the admissibility and use of evidence in court proceedings. It allows a copy of a video record to the lawyer for each party before it is offered in evidence, unless the judge directs otherwise.
Police and child abuse experts raised concerns that offenders such as rapists or paedophiles could prize the videos as trophies or get satisfaction out of them.
But Mr Burton said the legislation did not authorise release to the defendant personally and would be controlled by regulations being developed by the Justice Ministry.
"I have instructed Justice officials to ensure that a number of restrictions are included in the regulations," Mr Burton said.
"These safeguards will ensure that the video evidence is only used to ensure a fair trial and then returned, and that the videos do not fall into the hands of defendants or anyone else."
Regulations would include:
* Blanket ban on copying the video record,
* requiring secure storage of the video record,
* return of the video record at the conclusion of the case, and
* specifying how the video record may be used.
- NZPA
