Digitalization in Criminal Procedures

As digital technologies gain increasing importance in virtually all areas of human life, the system of criminal procedure is becoming progressively more digitalized and automatized. However, criminal proceedings are a sphere that keeps resisting the immediate and complete replacement of paperwork with digital documentation. While digital technologies gradually penetrate the trial and pre-trial stages, certain difficulties are associated with poor regulation. However, procedural changes and new terminology have found their way into legislation and trial practices. For example, the term digital document is mentioned in the Code of Criminal Procedure of the Russian Federation, Articles 474.1 and 474.2 of the Code of Criminal Procedure of the Russian Federation. Yet, scientific literature knows no precise definition for this phenomenon, not to mention such terms as digital criminal procedure act and digital criminal case. This article offers a new approach to the concept of digital criminal procedure act, as well as a comprehensive review of existing practices and prospects for further research in this area.