NCJ Number
166686
Journal
Law Enforcement Technology Volume: 23 Issue: 6 Dated: (June 1996) Pages: 34-36,38-39
Date Published
1996
Length
5 pages
Annotation
The Courtroom of the Future Project is dedicated to promoting the use of available technology in the criminal justice system, and the project's primary objective is to bring computerized information handling and presentation capabilities into daily court operations.
Abstract
The amount of information people retain when it is presented visually is higher than if they just hear the words. For example, video is being used extensively for witness statements, confessions, and crime scene walk-throughs. The use of technology in the courtroom setting will make court procedures easier, quicker, and more balanced. Computers facilitate the display of documents, video technology, graphic images, and charts. Lawyers can zoom in on relevant parts of photographs and other types of evidence, highlighting exactly what they want the jury to focus on. Costs of outfitting a courtroom with modern presentation technology are estimated at $30,000. Basic components needed to outfit a courtroom include a fast computer system, large monitor, audio system, video telestrator system, video player, multimedia switcher, projector, and extra monitors. Despite the benefits of technology, judges and lawyers have certain reservations. In addition, some individuals fear digitization will make it easier for evidence and documents to be tampered with. Despite automation-related concerns, it is predicted that computer presentation capability will be present in every courtroom in the future. 1 photograph