TRIAL BY VIDEOTAPE - CAN JUSTICE BE SEEN TO BE DONE

• NCJ Number: 15788
• Journal: Temple Law Quarterly Volume: 47 Issue: 2 Dated: (WINTER 1974) Pages: 228-268
• Author(s): D M DORET
• Date Published: 1974
• Length: 41 pages
• Corporate Author: Temple University
• Publication Format: Article
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

A DISCUSSION OF ISSUES AND PROBLEMS RELATED TO TOTALLY PRE-RECORDED VIDEOTAPE TRIALS, INCLUDING ADVANTAGES OF THE VIDEOTAPE METHOD, QUESTIONS OF FORMAT, AND THE EFFECTS THIS MAY HAVE ON THE TRIAL PROCESS.

Abstract

PRACTICAL AND PROCEDURAL ISSUES IN THE FORMAT OF VIDEOTAPE TRIALS SUCH AS VISUAL FORMAT, THE PRESENCE OF THE JUDGE, AND THE ADVISABILITY OF 'RETAKES' OF TESTIMONY ARE EXPLORED. CHANGES IN THE MECHANICS OF CONDUCTING A TRIAL WHICH WOULD BE NECESSITATED BY THE USE OF VIDEOTAPE, EFFECTS ON THE INFORMATION AVAILABLE TO THE JURY, EFFECTS ON THE WITNESS AND THE JUROR, AND EFFECTS ON THE INTERACTIONS BETWEEN WITNESS, JURY, AND ATTORNEY ARE ALSO DETAILED. POSSIBLE BIASES OR DISTORTIONS WHICH MAY RESULT FROM THE USE OF VIDEOTAPE ARE ANALYZED AS WELL. OTHER TOPICS EXAMINED INCLUDE THE IMPACT ON THE SOCIAL FUNCTIONS OF THE TRIAL AND THE EFFECT ON THE RIGHTS OF THE DEFENDANT.