chapter 18 eighteen the electronic courtroom and trial presentation

Civil Litigation:Process and Procedures

Chapter EighteenThe Electronic Courtroom and Trial

Presentation

Civil Litigation: Process and Procedures Goldman/Hughes

© 2009 Pearson Education, Upper Saddle River, NJ 07458.

All Rights Reserved.2

The Electronic Courtroom Equipped to

Present videotaped depositions Present evidence on monitors

Jury Judge Counsel tables Court support personnel Spectators




Litigation Support Software

Organizes & displays Evidence Graphic presentations Simulations or reenactments




The Wired Courtroom Must determine in advance of trial

Court & judge rules Wiring, internet access & equipment

already available Placement of mics, location of operator Compatibility of courtroom equipment

with legal team’s software Procedures for bringing outside

equipment into the courtroom




Advanced Courtroom Layout




Litigation Presentation Programs Software that provides a

comprehensive approach to presenting Documents Photographs Graphic images Video presentations Recorded depositions

Databases, most using Windows




Sanction Dual Monitor Mode




Presentation and Trial Graphics Poorly designed graphics can

detract from the “message,” or even mislead

Presentation programs are flexible and can prepare slide shows or hard copy Graphics & photographs Video & audio clips Animation & sound effects Data charts




Electronic Graphic Creation Must be able to be clearly seen by

everyone Can use graphics programs that offer

templates for common trial graphics Can be used in the courtroom to create

professional-looking material “on the fly”

Can keep back-up on a laptop in case display boards or posters are delayed or damaged




Typical Trial Graphics




Accident Scene Graphic




Benefits of PowerPoint Can prepares

presentations in different formats

Tutorials are available online and help within the program

A variety of templates & content slides are available

Graphics (photos, charts, clipart) are easily incorporated with “drag & drop” mouse clicking

Sounds & animation may add interest

Compatible with Office Suite




Presentation Tips Viewability – colors & contrast enhance the

message, not detract from it Density – use of bullets & phrases instead of

paragraphs Sounds – should not be startling, but rather

subtly create interest Stand aside – be sure not to block the screen Imagery – graphics can enhance text, clarify a

concept




SmartDraw Graphics creation program Includes

Icons & templates An intuitive interface Predesigned legal situation graphics “Drop & drag” click insertion

Graphics can be exported to a variety of other programs, e.g., PowerPoint or Word




Export Tab




Electronic Trial Presentation Programs Allow the legal team to

Organize & control the Documentary evidence Depositions Photographs and other data

Display transcript & video simultaneously

The team must be aware of the types of native formats supported by the presentation program




Limitations Must have correct equipment

available Must anticipate technical

difficulties Back-up programs Hard copies of vital evidence

Can be very expensive, and may not be justified in a cost/benefit analysis If new or different equipment is

required If experts must be consulted




Video Viewing Monitors may be placed around

the courtroom, on carts A single large screen may be used,

requiring a projector Individual monitors may be

installed between every other juror Size & proximity must be taken

into account when preparing graphics




Media Center or Cart Annotation monitor – permits on-screen

notes with the touch of a finger Document camera – displays a live image of

documentary or 3-dimensional evidence, with zoom capacity

Infrared headphones – assisted listening device

Laptop port – at the counsel tables Interpreter box – permits translations from

an interpreter VCR & dual cassette player – permits audio

& visual playback




Presentation Preparation Research the courtroom electronic

capacity, meet with court IT staff Run-through with attorney

Practice in courtroom, if possible Have backup equipment, files, cables Use a separate operator, often the

paralegal Be sure to have the necessary

passwords




Courthouse IT Staff Can help make the process easier

Knows the capacity of the courtrooms Can solve problems in a run-through May be helpful in getting equipment

through security May even be able to “pre-clear” it Can help with emergency repairs,

replacements (bulbs, bad monitors, etc.)




Electronic Courtroom Overview

chapter 18 eighteen the electronic courtroom and trial presentation

Documents

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