Chongqing Pioneers Fully Online Collaborative Platform for Criminal Cases, Making Law Enforcement and Judicial Justice “Visible” to the Public

The first batch of 18 districts and counties, including central urban areas and Wanzhou, along with various intermediate people’s courts and procuratorate branches, have fully launched the integrated digital case handling platform for political and legal affairs. This marks the initial establishment of a nationally pioneering, fully-processed, and intelligent supervision system in the city. Political and legal units will implement complete online transfer of criminal cases according to relevant regulations, further enhancing case handling capabilities, case transfer efficiency, supervision levels for penalty execution, and effectively safeguarding law enforcement and judicial justice.

Digital Case Handling

Full-Process and Full-Chain Online Collaboration for Criminal Cases

“In traditional case handling modes, various political and legal units operated independent case handling systems, evidence carriers relied on paper files, and involved properties were stored separately and independently.” Through the comprehensive operation of the case handling platform, paper files are no longer transferred physically; data is transmitted online, achieving cross-departmental data exchange, business collaboration, and full-process supervision, effectively resolving issues like repetitive data entry and low efficiency, significantly improving case handling quality and efficiency.

“This is a nationally pioneering fully online collaborative platform for criminal cases, enabling one-click online transfers across regions and departments through source digitization and electronic file management.”

As required, political and legal units such as public security organs will conduct electronic evidence collection at the initial stage of criminal cases, promoting the creation of electronic records for entire processes including interrogations and remote questioning. Currently, all public security case handling management centers in the city have completed the transformation to paperless basic environments, including electronic signatures and electronic fingerprinting.

Since the pilot program began in July, the case handling platform has processed over 12,000 criminal cases online, gathering full-process business data from public security case acceptance, investigation, prosecutorial review, to court trials and judgments. It has completed electronic suspect and defendant transfers for more than 6,000 individuals, with online transfer rates exceeding 85% across districts and counties.

After the full launch of the case handling platform, paper files will no longer be physically transferred. Criminal case materials will form electronic files, enabling one-click online推送, automatic entry, and mutual recognition throughout the process. Evidence presentation, court exhibits, and trial records will all be electronic, with scientific and electronic management of file formation, archiving, and storage, achieving full-process case handling and complete online business collaboration.

Focus on Practical Application

“Five-in-One” System Achieves Full-Process Intelligent Supervision

“Just scan the code, and all case process information is visible—very clear and convenient.” This was the evaluation from a citizen using the “One Case, One Code – Criminal Case Inquiry” application.

In January 2024, Chongqing pioneered the development of the “One Case, One Code – Criminal Case Inquiry” application, further standardizing the unified disclosure of case processes by judicial organs, safeguarding citizens’ rights to information, participation, and supervision, and promoting fair and clean justice. In August this year, the application launched, allowing multiple parties including suspects and victims to query case process information without submitting paper applications or leaving their homes. Currently, the application has included 433,000 criminal cases and accumulated 303,000 case queries.

The “One Case, One Code – Criminal Case Inquiry” application is just one part of the case handling platform.

Chongqing has also innovatively established a “five-in-one” law enforcement and judicial supervision system comprising internal supervision within political and legal units, mutual supervision among political and legal units, supervision by political and legal committees, collaborative supervision by discipline inspection commissions, and supervision by the public. Through the comprehensive operation of the case handling platform, full-process intelligent supervision of criminal cases is further achieved.

“On this basis, for major sensitive case supervision modules, we have advanced the supervision环节 to the public security case acceptance stage, extending through all litigation stages including filing, prosecution, and trial. By real-time labeling of major sensitive cases being handled by public security, procuratorates, and courts, we strengthen regulatory responsibility and prevent irregular case handling.” The case handling platform establishes supervision indicators such as overdue case filing warnings, achieving digital supervision and constraints.

AI Empowerment

Significant Improvement in Case Handling Efficiency

“Compiling a 200-page electronic file now takes only 10-15 minutes.” Under AI empowerment, the case handling platform uses image recognition, semantic understanding, and intelligent cataloging AI technologies to achieve intelligent electronic file compilation, greatly improving case handling efficiency

Chongqing

Chongqing is a major city in southwestern China situated at the confluence of the Yangtze and Jialing Rivers. Historically, it served as the provisional capital of China during the Second Sino-Japanese War (1937-1945). Today, it is a sprawling megacity and a key economic hub, famous for its mountainous terrain, hot pot cuisine, and foggy weather.

Wanzhou

Wanzhou is a major urban district of Chongqing, China, located on the upper reaches of the Yangtze River. Historically, it was a significant port and economic hub for the Sichuan region. The area’s history and many historical relics were partially submerged following the completion of the nearby Three Gorges Dam project.

public security organs

Public security organs are state institutions in China responsible for law enforcement, social order, and public safety. They originated in the early years of the People’s Republic of China, evolving from revolutionary security forces into a comprehensive system including police, border control, and fire services. These organs operate under the leadership of the Communist Party of China to maintain domestic stability and implement national laws.

intermediate people’s courts

Intermediate People’s Courts are trial-level courts within the judicial system of the People’s Republic of China, primarily handling major criminal cases and civil cases of significant value. They were established as part of the broader court system reorganization following the founding of the PRC in 1949. Situated at the prefectural level, they serve as courts of first instance and also hear appeals from the lower Basic People’s Courts.

procuratorate branches

Procuratorate branches are local offices of China’s national procuratorate system, which functions as the country’s public prosecution and legal supervision authority. Historically modeled after the Soviet legal system, these branches are responsible for investigating crimes, approving arrests, and initiating public prosecutions on behalf of the state. They operate at provincial, municipal, and county levels to uphold the implementation of national laws.

political and legal committees

Political and legal committees are governmental bodies responsible for overseeing legislation, policy development, and legal frameworks within a political system. Historically, such committees have been fundamental to structured governance, with examples like the Politburo Standing Committee in China shaping major party directives or congressional committees in the U.S. crafting and reviewing laws. They ensure that political and legal processes align with constitutional principles or ruling party ideologies.

discipline inspection commissions

One Case, One Code – Criminal Case Inquiry

This is not a physical place or cultural site, but rather a legal principle or a system for managing criminal cases. It refers to a standardized procedure where each individual criminal case is assigned a unique identification code for tracking and inquiry purposes. This system helps streamline legal processes and allows for efficient access to case information.