About the Conference

About the Conference

On July 19 and 20, 2001, the Federal Judicial Center hosted a research conference on courtroom technology. The goal of the conference was to identify the most pressing empirical issues related to the use of courtroom technology, and to determine how the FJC and other researchers might go about studying them. Participants included social and behavioral scientists, legal scholars, attorneys, court staff and creators of the technology. Participant List (PDF, 15 pp.)

The conference began with a demonstration of current and future courtroom technologies, including videoconferencing, real-time court reporting, digital presentation of evidence, and courtroom interpreting, and continued with demonstrations of interactive simulations and immersive virtual environment technology (IVET). Participants then separated into four working groups, each of which discussed one of the following topics: (1) videoconferencing and videotaped evidence; (2) animations and simulations; (3) evidence presentation equipment; or (4) audio-recording, court interpreting, and real-time court reporting. Conference Agenda (PDF, 2 pp.)

Center staff prepared outlines to guide the working groups' discussions.

Outline on computer animations and simulations (PDF, 2 pp.)

Outline on digital audio recordings, real-time court reporting, and court interpreting (PDF, 3 pp.)

Outline on evidence presentation equipment (PDF, 3 pp.)

Outline on videoconferencing and videotaped testimony (PDF, 2 pp.)

Below are summaries of each group's discussion,

Summary of computer animations and simulations (PDF, 2 pp.)

Summary of digital audio recordings, real-time court reporting, and court interpreting (PDF, 1 pp.)

Summary of evidence presentation equipment (PDF, 2 pp.)

Summary of videoconferencing and videotaped testimony (PDF, 2 pp.)

Staff also prepared a summary of the presentation on immersive virtual environment technology (PDF, 3 pp.).

Based on the conference discussions, Center staff identified several projects to undertake at the Center: a survey about the extent to which courtroom technology is used in the district courts and projects concerning the use of (1) animations, simulations, and immersive virtual environment, (2) videoconferencing in appellate courts, and (3) videoconferencing in criminal procedings.