Costa Rica’s Justice Ministry has ended its agreement with the Judicial Branch to conduct virtual court hearings from prison, a decision that could require more defendants to be transported to courthouses under armed guard. Justice Minister Gabriel Aguilar said the government will redirect prison officers assigned to virtual proceedings toward surveillance, control and security inside penitentiaries. The ministry will also return computers, videoconferencing systems and other equipment provided through the agreement.
The decision follows a dispute between the government and judicial authorities over the handling of high-risk criminal defendants, including Alejandro Arias Monge, known as “Diablo,” one of Costa Rica’s most wanted fugitives before his capture on July 24. Government officials had asked for Arias to appear virtually from La Reforma prison, arguing that moving him to a courthouse created an unnecessary risk of escape or an armed attack.
Judicial authorities defended the in-person appearance, saying physical attendance remains the general rule in criminal proceedings and virtual hearings require special justification. Arias was transported from La Reforma to the First Judicial Circuit in San José on July 27, several hours before his scheduled hearing. The move drew public criticism from President Laura Fernández, Aguilar and Minister of the Presidency Rodrigo Chaves.
The Judicial Branch has said that in-person proceedings help protect defendants’ rights and legal principles such as direct interaction between judges and participants, the presentation of opposing arguments and access to legal counsel. Ending the broader agreement, however, will affect far more cases than the proceedings involving Arias.
Costa Rica’s prison system conducted 2,416 virtual judicial proceedings between January and June 2026. These included 944 hearings before lower courts, 421 proceedings before trial courts, 354 sessions involving defense attorneys and 697 other judicial actions. The proceedings required 2,775 assignments involving prison officers for security and coordination. At the country’s maximum-security facility alone, authorities conducted 159 virtual hearings requiring 318 officer assignments during the six-month period.
Aguilar said those resources can now be used to strengthen security inside the prisons. Judicial officials argue that the decision may simply transfer the operational burden to another part of the justice system. The Judicial Investigation Agency, known as the OIJ, is responsible for transporting prisoners from correctional facilities to courthouses. More in-person hearings could therefore require additional officers, vehicles, fuel, courthouse security and coordination between agencies.
Patricia Solano, president of the Supreme Court’s Criminal Chamber, described the end of the agreement as a setback and warned that it could become “an obstruction to the fight against organized crime.” Solano said virtual proceedings can reduce the cost and security demands associated with prisoner transportation, meals, courtroom use and guard assignments. She called on government officials to reconsider the decision.
The virtual hearing system expanded during the COVID-19 pandemic and remained in use for selected proceedings after health restrictions were lifted. Courts continued to prioritize in-person criminal hearings while allowing remote participation in certain cases. The ministry’s announcement did not explain how previously scheduled virtual proceedings will be handled or whether a transition period will be offered before the equipment is removed.
The decision comes as Costa Rica faces growing pressure from organized crime and record levels of violence. High-risk prisoner transfers can require heavily armed escorts, road controls and additional security around court buildings. The disagreement also creates another challenge for coordination between the government and the Judicial Branch. Both institutions say their approach is intended to strengthen security, but they differ sharply over whether virtual hearings reduce risks or weaken the normal operation of criminal proceedings.
