Traffic wardens will be ushered into a new era next month when they are introduced to hand-held computers.

Beginning on September 3, traffic wardens in Hamilton, St. George's and at the Airport will learn how to use computers which will enable them to issue tickets without writing anything by hand.

They will also be able to download the information into a system that will register the tickets in Magistrates' Court.

The hand-held computers, known as autocites, are part of the Criminal Justice Information System (CJIS) which will link the courts with Police stations, the Transport Control Department, prisons, and the Attorney General's Chambers.

CJIS project leader Ch. Insp. Roger Kendall told The Royal Gazette the information system will be phased in beginning with traffic wardens who will be the first to use the autocite, which is being used extensively throughout the world, including in the US and Canada.

Police, Marine & Ports staff, and dog wardens will also eventually have the hand-held computers.

Ch. Insp. Kendell explained: "The machines can be loaded with details of stolen and unlicensed vehicles which can be brought up after the registration numbers are punched in.'' A demonstration will be held for members of the Bar and magistrates on September 3.

Computer terminals have been in the three court rooms at Magistrates' Court since last month.

And according to Magistrates' Court administrator Tracy Kelly, the first phase of the system should be up an running by the end of this year.

Mr. Kelly said the system will be used to manage court cases and the court diary. The system encompasses all criminal prosecutions, including parking, traffic, civil and criminal matters.

Magistrates' Court staff have been training and evaluating the functional ability of the system, Mr. Kelly said. Magistrates and court clerks will be the staff mainly using the terminals.

"The next phase, which is not expected to begin this year, will hopefully include putting terminals in the Supreme Court,'' he said.

The courtroom computers may also eventually be used for brief judgments. But Mr. Kelly noted that they will not replace the traditional method of judges recording cases by longhand.

"Government is looking at a number of systems to record trials,'' he said.

"There is no definite decision. They are looking mainly at audio recording and stenographers.''