The process of updating courtrooms has traditionally been slow, but in recent years, the COVID-19 pandemic has sped up the need for additional modern audiovisual (AV) technology. Court-appointed AV is the process of adding audio and visual technology to existing courtrooms to enhance proceedings for judges, lawyers, and all else involved. Virtual conference platforms, microphones, displays, and cameras are being used to improve the judiciary process.
Here are some benefits to courtroom AV that are changing the way proceedings occur for the betterment of the law process.
Increased Efficiency
With the introduction of courtroom AV, proceedings will now become more efficient than they have ever been. Cameras and microphones are able to record and make available entire proceedings to the judge, defense, and prosecution for easy reference.
This eliminates the need for costly and time-consuming transcription services. Not to mention, expensive staff like court reporters will no longer be necessary. In addition, real-time captioning can be provided to ensure all participants have access to the same information at the same time.
Evidence presentations will become more efficient as displays allow them to be shown without having to be passed around or projected onto a screen. Displays also provide an opportunity to show video footage or other virtual presentations that would not have been possible before.
Improved Accuracy
In addition to efficiency, courtroom AV can also improve the accuracy of proceedings. Recordings of proceedings can be used as evidence in future cases or for appeals if needed. New microphones and audio technology like the digital signal processor can pick up in-room audio even for the far-end participants.
This is a vast improvement over the previous system where court reporters had to rely on their own memory and notes to provide an accurate record of what was said.
All documents that judges and lawyers must file after a proceeding can become fully digitized using AV. This will include court orders, decisions, and transcripts. The accuracy of these documents is crucial for the effective functioning of the judicial system, and digitization will allow for far less human error.
Reduced Costs
There are a number of ways in which courtroom technology can help reduce costs for everyone involved. As mentioned earlier, transcription services and court reporters will no longer be necessary with recordings of proceedings.
New AV tech helps speed up the process of court trials, which can often take weeks or even months to conclude. With more trials being completed in a shorter period of time, the overall costs for the court system will be reduced.
In addition, many of the new AV platforms used in courtroom proceedings are cloud-based. This means that there is no need to buy or maintain costly on-site hardware and software. The pay-as-you-go subscription model of many cloud services can help further reduce costs for the court system.
New virtual conference platforms make it possible to have proceedings without having to rent out an entire courtroom. This can lead to huge cost savings for smaller cases that would not normally warrant the use of a physical courtroom.
Greater Accessibility
One of the biggest benefits of courtroom AV is the increased accessibility it provides. With virtual conference platforms, proceedings can be held without having to be in a physical location.
This means that people who are unable to travel or be in a courtroom can still participate in proceedings. It also opens up the possibility of holding proceedings outside of normal business hours, which can be convenient for everyone involved.
Additionally, virtual conference platforms provide an opportunity to increase public access to proceedings. This can be done by live-streaming court proceedings or making recordings available after the fact.
Improved Preparation
Lawyers can become more effective if they are given the right tools to prepare for a trial. Mock courtrooms have traditionally provided these types of tools, but adding in AV can help upgrade the process.
With AV, lawyers can record and document the mock trial to look for ways they can improve and become more effective. They have the ability to look over the recorded video at a time that is convenient for them. This will allow them to prepare more thoroughly and ensure their client gets the best possible defense.
Lawyers will also be able to use the equipment in the mock courtroom in advance of the trial. This preparation should speed up proceedings and prevent any delays in learning how to use the AV equipment when the trial begins.
Using Courtroom AV Has Benefits
The use of AV in a courtroom has many benefits that will improve the judiciary system at large. From increasing efficiency to providing better accessibility, courtrooms should look to add AV to improve proceedings and help all those involved. For more information, head over to the CTI website to learn more about the ways courtrooms are adding AV.
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