NCJ Number
136383
Journal
Prosecutor Volume: 25 Issue: 3 Dated: (Winter 1992) Pages: 8-14,16-20
Date Published
1992
Length
12 pages
Annotation
Videotaping trials using a 3-phase procedure could help solve several problems in the current jury trial system including mistrials, politics and bias in trials, inefficient and inappropriate appeals, and delays in preparing the trial record.
Abstract
A videotape system would also significantly reduce jury sequestration. The first phase in the development of the system would be to place five video cameras in the courtroom. All camera would be voice activated. No jury would be needed during this phase; the testimony and evidence would be presented to the cameras. During the second phase, a court-appointed judicial adviser, the prosecutor, and the defense would oversee the editing of the master tape of the first phase. The tape would be much shorter than the original trial. The editing would eliminate all irrelevancies, repetitive testimony, and other unnecessary material. The defense would determine the content of its portion of the edited tape; the prosecutor would do the same for its portion. In the third phase, the jury would assemble and view the edited videotape and reach its decision. The complete videotaped trial would be transferred to optical disc. This approach should be tried in military courts-martial and selected civil trials involving complex issues, expert testimony, a lengthy trial, or controversial issues. Footnotes, discussion of technical details, and 12 references