Digital Courtroom
The core of our Digital Court Facility is the Digital Courtroom. You find it to be an ideal venue for trial preparation, including demonstrative review, pre-trial rehearsal, and witness preparation.
When we built our Digital Courtroom, we combined a realistic courtroom with the embedded high technology features you need to present evidence and record all aspects of the proceedings. The Digital Court features an appellate-sized judge's bench, modular witness stand and clerk's bench, jury box, two electronically smart counsel tables and gallery. The arched ceiling design with recessed accent lighting, fine wood paneling and gallery rail with swinging door entry have all been fashioned to replicate the decor and demeanor of a traditional courtroom. The Digital Courtroom integrates the most advanced communication tools available, such as digital evidence presentation, audio systems, videoconferencing and wireless touch-panel control.
Technology Highlights:
Video
Presentation podium equipped with:
- DOAR's Communicator 21™ (document camera), VCR, cassette player, DVD player, printer, microphone control, annotation capability
- Ceiling-mounted high-resolution cameras provide videoconferencing, webcasting and recording capability
- PC support for judge, clerk, counsel and podium
- Eleven 15-inch flat-panel display monitors provide viewing for individual jurors, judge, counsel, witness and clerk
- Two 50-inch plasma screens allow for presentation and videoconferencing, such as "virtual witness" appearances
- Motorized 120-inch projection screen for presentation and training
- 5300 bright lumens projector
- Touch-screen annotation for use by counsel and witness
- Internet access
Audio
- ADA-compliant IR wireless audio system
- Omnidirectional microphones linked to white noise generators for sidebar conferencing
- Ceiling-mounted high-fidelity speakers
- Digital recording
- Room-integrated teleconferencing
- Translation capability
Remote Control Technologies
- 15-iinch Crestron Isys™ control panel located at presentation podium offers VGA display and annotation, as well as remote control of all technologies
- 10-inch judge's touch-screen control panel includes judge override functionality, allowing censorship of objectionable evidence
- Additional control panels for clerk
Training and Research
DOAR has also made its Digital Courtroom available for training and federal research. Legal professionals can experience hands-on education as they learn to master courtroom technology. In addition, government agencies, such as the Federal Judicial Center, have recognized the need for reliable, quantifiable technology research as a basis for planning the future legal practice in America. In support of this goal, DOAR has designated the Judicial Technology Center as the research arm within the Digital Court facility.