WALHALLA - Magistrate Becky Gerrard says a new video conferencing system will save time and money, and increase security, allowing judges to hold bond hearings while defendants are in jail.

South Carolina Chief Justice Jean Toal plans to use Oconee County as a pilot program to gather facts about video conferencing in the court system.

While video conferencing is being used in some courtrooms across the state, Oconee County will be the case study for planned expansion of the system, according to Ginger Dukes, a spokeswoman with the state Judicial Department.

Gerrard said the Oconee jail is cleared at 9 a.m. and again at 5 p.m.

"Going from Seneca to Walhalla twice a day and holding bond hearings takes more than an hour and a half," Gerrard said. "With video conferencing a bond hearing could take five minutes. It's amazing how much time we can save. And if someone is brought in after 9 a.m. they can call me and we dial up the jail and they can see me and I can see them."

Dukes said there are benefits to using the video conference system now used by large companies and schools.

"Getting a pilot program started in Oconee means we will gather information about how often hearings are held, the different kinds of hearings and other uses of the system," Dukes said. "Technology is very important to us in the judicial system."

Prosecutor Chrissy Adams said the system can also be used for presentations and video evidence in the courtroom.

"It's a wonderful advancement," Adams said.

"You will be able to see things on a big screen that is not now available in a courtroom."

Gerrard also said the new system serves as a security measure.

"It certainly helps with our concerns with safety, and victims and defendants being in the same place," Gerrard said. "With the system, the victims can be here and they don't have to come face to face with the defendant or the defendant's family. It increases safety for them as well as the judges."

The system could also be used to answer defendants' questions about court proceedings without scheduling courtroom hearings, Gerrard said.