AV Solutions For The Courtroom

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Every day inside courtrooms, a lot of important information is delivered through audio and video channels. Most of those courthouses are operating using outdated technology, or no technology at all. These courts aren't functioning with the efficiency they could, but AV solutions can help. Modern AV technology can improve the courtroom experience and with courtroom management. Even better, such solutions are easy to use and can be set up quickly with the help of a certified integrator. There are plenty of AV solutions that are an ideal fit for courtrooms, no matter the room's size or layout.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]

Virtual Arraignment Is A Convenient AV Solution For Busy Courts

There are some courtroom tasks that can be handled virtually, as long as you have the right technology in place. Virtual arraignments, for example, are becoming a popular way for courts to reduce crowding and expedite routine court tasks. Virtual arraignments are made possible with a video conferencing setup, which includes cameras, displays, and microphones. These solutions are typically packaged with a secure means of transferring legal documents online. With a virtual arraignment in place, the judge, defendant, and attorneys do not need to be physically present. This helps with courtroom efficiency and security, as there are fewer people to account for at the court.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]

Video Conferencing Can Improve the Voir Dire and Jury Selection Process

It’s critical for attorneys to select impartial jurors for their cases, and video conferencing solutions can help here as well. How?

• Attorneys can see all potential jurors at once – An attorney may be required to voir dire more than a dozen people at once, and it’s inevitable that some of those potential jurors will be outside of the attorney’s vision during the process. That, of course, makes it more difficult to assess each person’s fitness for jury duty. With video conferencing solutions, though, attorneys can monitor the entire group’s reaction to every question at a glance.
• Attorneys get a close-up look at every potential juror’s reaction – The quality of each person’s reaction is also different when it’s delivered virtually. In a courtroom setting, attorneys have to take in an enormous amount of information after everything they say. Some of this information, like facial expressions, may be impossible to pick up in an in-person setting, especially if potential jurors are wearing masks. Virtually, though, attorneys have a close look at everyone during the process, and it’s less likely that any of those potential jurors will have a mask on.
• Virtually, jurors are more likely to be candid with their responses – An amazing thing happens when people aren’t forced to dress formally, commute to the courthouse and deal with security protocols. When people are allowed to handle the process from home, they’re more relaxed and, therefore, more candid with their responses. An experienced attorney can leverage this added comfort to get more thorough answers from their voir dire candidates.

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What Video Solutions Can Help Courtrooms Run Better?

Not everything can be done virtually, and for in-court proceedings, better display technology is needed. Some of those solutions include:

• Enhanced display hardware - Large, LED-powered digital displays are an effective choice wherever they go. Whether it's the courtroom itself or in waiting areas, digital displays can be used to track court schedules and dockets. Courthouse clerks are constantly asked for the kind of information you can output to a display, so installing displays can free up your clerk staff for more important work.
• Annotation displays - Annotation displays are installed inside courtrooms and can be used by attorneys or witnesses to make important notes during evidence presentation. Annotations can be made using a finger and saved for review later, so they're a simple device to integrate into courtroom proceedings.
• Evidence presentation technology - Evidence presentation can be tricky in large courtrooms, where the jury may not have a clear viewing angle. Evidence presentation solutions are an easy way around this problem. Evidence presentation systems are standalone units that include multiple presentation-enabled components. Some of these components include high resolution document cameras, LED lighting for enhanced visibility, a small display that outputs the camera feed, and audio enhancement. Consider installing small displays at the jury stand so jury members can get the best view possible of all presented exhibits. The document camera feed can be routed to these displays for detailed viewing.

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Audio Is Also Important, So How Can Courts Improve Their Sound Technology?

Courtroom conversations are packed with extremely important content, so quality audio capturing and delivery technology is essential. If courtroom activities are being held back by poor audio, here are some solutions that can help:

• Sound reinforcement systems - Audio reinforcement boosts the overall quality and volume of sound in the courtroom, and is delivered through a mix of signal processors, amplifiers, and speakers. When it comes to audio reinforcement, the trick is arranging the equipment for even sound distribution. That takes an experienced integrator to pull off properly, as acoustics are a concern in many courtrooms.
• Assistive listening solutions - Assistive listening solutions are required in courtrooms and help people with hearing difficulties follow what's being said. Assistive listening solutions utilize transmitters and receivers to deliver audio directly to an assistive listening device like a hearing aid.
• Audio masking systems - Audio masking systems output unintelligible white noise, effectively creating a sound-based barrier through which audio cannot pass. In the courtroom, audio masking is effective for masking jury discussions, so jury members can deliberate comfortably and without fear of someone eavesdropping or recording audio.

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AV Control Systems Are Essential For Efficient Courthouse Management

The best audio and video in the world won't mean much if it can't be easily managed. That's where AV control systems can make an impact. AV control products give courtroom deputies complete oversight regarding courtroom proceedings. With an AV control solution in place, deputies can alter audio output levels and switch between multiple sources. AV controls are operated on the user's end through touchscreens, typically small enough to mount on top of a desk or even integrated into courtroom furniture. Touchscreens allow for ease of use regardless of the user's ability to handle technology.[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]

Audio And Video Recording Ensures No Valuable Court-Related Information Is Lost

All courtroom communication must be recorded for future reference, and that communication must be recorded as accurately as possible. Modern courtroom recording systems leverage AV technology to its fullest. For example, courtroom recording technology can capture video in 4K resolution and can capture that video from multiple cameras. During playback, users can switch between cameras to view the proceedings from a variety of angles. Some recording platforms also allow users to tag specific parts of the video for quick reference and playback.[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]

Room Scheduling Solutions Can Optimize How Your Courtrooms Are Used

If you're running a busy courthouse, you may have trouble matching your room resources with your room needs. In other words, your courtrooms and conference rooms may not be optimally utilized. Room scheduling solutions can solve this issue. With a room booking solution, courtroom deputies can reserve particular rooms for particular times, ensuring there are no issues with double-booking and no need to find a space at the last minute. Also, courthouses can monitor the distribution of rooms and their utilization. If some rooms are frequently empty and others frequently booked, you can use room scheduling software to reallocate your room-related resources appropriately. That's a big efficiency boost.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]

A Certified AV Integrator Can Design, Install And Support Your Court's AV System

Courtrooms are one of the biggest challenges for AV integration, as courthouses tend to be older buildings with older infrastructure in place. Further, AV courtroom solutions can scale up quickly, as there are many technologies for courts to consider. It's likely that, during integration, the AV crew will need to remove, replace, or integrate existing technologies with new ones. Given the complexity involved, you'll want to work with a certified AV integrator as they will be more familiar with solutions built for courtroom environments and will have the expertise needed to implement them. Also, with their advanced knowledge comes adaptability, so experienced integrators will be able to adjust to your project's needs as they develop. In short, with a certified integrator, your courtroom will have a full-fledged technology partner supporting your efficiency-enhancing AV projects.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]