NCJ Number
119484
Journal
Judges' Journal Volume: 28 Issue: 2 Dated: (Spring 1989) Pages: 8-11,47-49
Date Published
1989
Length
7 pages
Annotation
The use of the technology of personal computers in courtrooms can help judges and lawyers perform their duties in a more efficient and productive manner and thereby help reduce court costs and delays.
Abstract
A computer-integrated courtroom (CIC) is a combination of hardware and software designed to accomplish specific tasks in courthouse settings. The CIC in Phoenix uses a local area network linking 10 computer workstations that can communicate with each other and share one central database. The workstations are located on the judge's bench, at each counsel's table, and at the courtroom deputy clerk's station, the court reporter's position, the secretary's desk, and each law clerk's desk. With real-time translation, each witness's testimony appears on the computer monitor in plain English text within seconds of the time the words were spoken. This result is produced by matching the reporter's stenographic keystrokes with the same stroking already stored in the computer dictionary and associated with a specific English word. This approach has benefits for handling objections, bench conferences, hearing-impaired litigants and jurors, and situations requiring interpreters. The computer-integrated courtroom also has benefits for litigation support, public access to court records, legal research, word processing, and many other areas.