DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE: THEORETICAL FOUNDATIONS AND LEGAL REGULATION ISSUES

This article provides a theoretical study of the digital transformation of criminal proceedings as one of the most pressing and controversial areas of modern criminal procedure science. The rapid development of digital technologies necessitates a rethinking of established legal structures and procedural mechanisms that ensure the implementation of criminal prosecution objectives and the protection of the rights of participants in legal proceedings. The article explores the concept of “digital transformation” as it applies to criminal proceedings and analyzes its relationship with related categories - digitalization, e-justice, and informatization. The authors examine key areas of digital technology implementation in criminal procedure: electronic document management, the use of videoconferencing systems, the use of artificial intelligence technologies in evidentiary processing, and the operation of automated court case management systems. Special attention is given to the analysis of legal issues arising from digitalization, particularly the admissibility of digital evidence, ensuring the confidentiality of personal data of participants in criminal proceedings, and adversarial principles and judicial independence in the context of algorithmic justice. Based on the research findings, specific proposals are formulated for improving Russian legislation in this area and promising areas for further research on this topic are identified.