The recently renovated Courtroom 625 in historical City Hall has become the First Judicial District of Pennsylvania's high technology courtroom.
A video evidence presentation system with distributed monitors, interactive plasma display, and touch-screen annotation at the podium and witness positions.
The interactive display is a Smart Overlay mounted on a plasma screen allowing the easy marking of digital evidence by a Witness.
The Touch screens at the Witness Stand and the Podium allow a witness or attorney to easily mark digitally displayed evidence for all in the courtroom to see.
Document cameras, at both the Podium and Witness locations, allow the display of physical evidence such as documents, pictures, x-rays, slides, etc.
A Video Player at the Podium provides the ability to display video tapes and DVDs.
Computer input connections at the Podium, Attorney tables and Judge Bench provide the display of computer generated and scanned materials to the courtroom.
A Video Printer makes a picture size representation of the displayed evidence for creating a record of all annotated materials. This does not replace the original material, but simply records the markings of that material.
A Teleconference system allows clear audio telephone communications for remote audio testimony.
A Videoconferencing system provides remote witness appearances from anywhere in the state, country or world. Multiple TV cameras automatically switch to the speaker at various locations within the room and do not require any operator control.
A court record capability of stenographic court reporter real-time transcription and digital audio recording allowing for a comprehensive record of the proceedings.
Foreign language interpretation transmission through an Infrared Emitter system providing translation for foreign speaking participants in a trial.
A sophisticated control system providing simple user operation with a minimum of training.
Should you require additional information regarding protocol or scheduling
procedures, please contact the Judicial Team Leader assigned to the program
in which the trial is scheduled.
More specific questions regarding the technologies may be addressed to:
Sean MacGregor, Courtroom Technologist
Civil Administration, Trial Division - Civil
Room 296 City Hall
Philadelphia PA 19107
Telephone: 215 686-4245
E-mail: Sean.MacGregor@courts.phila.gov.
