THE USE OF AUDIO/VIDEO AND DIGITAL

TECHNOLOGY IN THE COURTS

THE USE OF AUDIO/

VIDEO TECHNOLOGY

IN THE COURTS

A COURT ADMINISTRATOR’S PERSONAL PERSPECTIVE

By: Shelly Knopf

THE USE OF AUDIO/VIDEO AND DIGITAL

TECHNOLOGY IN THE COURTS

As the Jefferson Circuit Court Administrator in Louisville, Kentucky,

An accurate record of a trial court proceeding is essential to the proper functioning of the judiciary.

There can be no meaningful appellate review without an accurate trial record. Additionally, an accurate

record provides transparency of the proceedings in the courts. A quality audio recording provides a

verbatim account of what was stated in a trial proceeding. And, even better—an AV record provides an

even more accurate and verbatim record.

Digital Recording in the Courtroom

The use of media-operated cameras in the courtroom has been a point of division among courts in the

United States. Most federal courts and some state courts have rules prohibiting any cameras in the

courtroom. But, a vast majority of states allow discretion to the trial courts to make this decision. This

paper discusses court-owned technology in the courtroom that records audio and AV of courtroom

With that in mind, it is best to clear up some of the misconceptions around digital recording, and then

move on to some of the added benets of integrating this AV technology into courtrooms.

Advances in digital technology provide a huge leap forward in features and functionality of today’s

recording systems. State-of-the-art audio mixers monitor speech and background noise in the

courtroom and automatically make adjustments to nullify the noise and capture the spoken word. The

mixer automatically compares each sound across all the microphones and eliminates much of the

unwanted background noise, thus enhancing the spoken words.

Proximity awareness is a feature that compares the microphones and determines which one is closest

THE USE OF AUDIO/VIDEO AND DIGITAL

TECHNOLOGY IN THE COURTS

Professionally installed video cameras capture designated areas, such as the judge, witness, and

courtroom tables. These discreet video cameras can be strategically placed throughout the courtroom

to automatically and seamlessly follow the audio being picked up through the microphones. As

a matter of fact, most individuals do not even notice them. And, video cameras are specically

positioned as to not capture jurors sitting in the jury box.

Digital recording provides the means to have several devices throughout the courtroom that are all

dedicated to capturing everything that transpires in that room. From the standpoint of a single back-

Some argue that background noise and over speaking can only be dealt with by a trained court

reporter. Multiple channel audio recording takes care of this issue. For example, recording audio on

multiple separate channels with a microphone for each channel is the equivalent of several individuals

all listening to what is happening in their specic area of the courtroom. Four of the channels may be

dedicated to the judge, witness, and two attorneys, with additional channels for the jury, clerk, gallery,

etc.

During the transcription process, each channel can be isolated to listen to just one of specic

microphone. This allows a transcriptionist to zero in on what is being said by an individual, even when

multiple parties are speaking over one another, when loud noises occur, or when someone is not

THE USE OF AUDIO/VIDEO AND DIGITAL

TECHNOLOGY IN THE COURTS

transcribed.

In addition, if the trial is appealed, the entire AV recording can be electronically forwarded to the

attorney handling the appeal. Respected Kentucky criminal defense attorney Alex Dathorne recently

stated, “[Video court records are] records that speak for themselves—what was said and how it was

said.” He concluded, “Why wouldn’t we want that? It leads to full disclosure of what occurred [in the

courtroom].”

The trial judge has total control over the cameras. Various modes can be set up for a judge to lock the

view to one active camera or to deactivate a specic camera or cameras throughout the room, etc.

the value of working with an AV integrator that designs systems specically for courtrooms. That

integrator must put in a system that is robust, self-testing, and has simple indicators that alert court

personnel to the current status of the recording system. For example, high-quality systems feature

microphones with high-visibility LED lights that can be congured to light up a specic color when

recording is active, or to blink lights in a different color on microphones that are not properly recording

audio.

THE USE OF AUDIO/VIDEO AND DIGITAL

TECHNOLOGY IN THE COURTS

Advantages of Digital Media Integration in Courtrooms

All misconceptions aside, digital AV systems provide an array of features and services that can

dramatically increase the efciency, accessibility, and safety of courtrooms.

large displays for the jury to view and be recorded as part of the ofcial record.

• DVD players can be used for presentation of any content on a CD or DVD. This can be made part

of the ofcial recording.

• Laptop input plates can be located on a presentation cart, podium, and the attorneys’ tables.

Through the laptop, an attorney can present documents, spreadsheets, slideshow presentations,

and audio/video les. This can be made part of the ofcial recording.

• Police body cam or car cam video can be plugged into the court’s recording system. The video can

be displayed for the jury, and this evidence presented to the jury is captured and stored as part of

the ofcial recording.

• Digital annotation screens can also be used with any of the above mentioned technologies to allow

Courts and the justice that they provide must be accessible to everyone. This can be a challenge for

courts that serve non-English speaking or English-as-a-second-language citizens. The expense of

hiring interpreters, transportation, and logistics can create an added strain on the proceedings and a

court’s budget. Remote interpretation uses video conferencing solutions to bring an interpreter into the

courtroom in a virtual way, eliminating the cost and time associated with having someone physically

present in the courtroom.

THE USE OF AUDIO/VIDEO AND DIGITAL

TECHNOLOGY IN THE COURTS

Videoconferencing is a feature that has many benets. It saves time and money, but most importantly

cuts down on the risk of bringing an inmate into the courtroom. Video conference units can be set up

A room is designated for arraignments and houses the cameras, microphones, and AV recording

equipment. The main room has a bench for the judge and desks for all other parties, i.e. prosecutors,

defense attorneys, public defenders, court staff, etc. The inmates are in a different room separated by

thick Plexiglas. There is a third room set up for families to watch the arraignment. The families have

the ability to answer any questions the judge may have for them via video conferencing. All aspects of

this arraignment are recorded as the ofcial record of the court.

Another use for the videoconferencing system in the courtroom is remote testimony. If an expert

witness lives on the other side of the country or world, that witness can testify via remote conferencing

systems. The testimony can be done without the expense of ights and hotels.

THE USE OF AUDIO/VIDEO AND DIGITAL

TECHNOLOGY IN THE COURTS