Article posted on January 27, 2021

Without a doubt, the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted daily life much more than could have been predicted. As the pandemic continues, state and local governments are facing a conundrum - how can they keep the public and their employees safe while maintaining continuity of operations? Many opportunities exist for COVID-19 to be introduced into a courthouse: transfer of incarcerated/detained persons between facilities and systems, docket briefings, legal representatives and other community members attending court hearings all offer opportunity for COVID transmission. So, what is the solution?

Since mid-2020, all-virtual courtroom proceedings have been made possible with the latest technology in video conferencing. While video conferencing has traditionally been a “contingency plan” in most cases, courtrooms are now utilizing the technology to hold virtual appearances for status hearings, docket soundings and more, allowing court proceedings to run smoothly, efficiently and safely. But the use of video conferencing has not just come about as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Courts have long utilized the technology as a way to connect with parties who might otherwise be unavailable. But as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, court officials have discovered that video conferencing is a huge cost-saving measure.

With video conferencing likely a staple in courtrooms for years to come, Vistacom understands the unique requirements of judicial environments and the need for dependable and easy to use technology. As such, Vistacom has crafted audio and video solutions as well as comprehensive support plans that meet the strenuous demands of the county’s court systems.

Here are the top 3 ways Vistacom’s video conferencing solutions benefit your judicial and courtroom operations:

#3 Reduce risk and increase safety with video arraignment and visitation.

Safely transporting a prisoner from a secure environment to a public courthouse requires specialized secure transportation and security details that can cost up to $6,000 per prisoner. With video arraignment and visitation solutions, not only are these costly security measures no longer required, but all security risks are also eliminated. Counties throughout PA have already seen increased safety, reduction of contraband, and peace of mind as a result of implementing video conferencing solutions in these specific areas.

#2 Magnify the power of collaborative justice.

A unified video conferencing ecosystem brings a refreshing approach to remote communication with technology systems that are more easily managed throughout all of the various judicial settings. With the enhanced simplicity of connecting and collaborating with anyone from anywhere across your video conferencing platform, the coordination and collaboration needed to address the pressing issues facing our judicial system becomes much more effective and expeditiously resolved. With additional collaboration features built into these technology solutions such as content sharing and annotation, the power of collaborative justice becomes multiplied as traveling and meeting face-to-face no longer delays the process.

#1 Create smart courtroom environments that enhance the trial experience.

Customized AV solutions are essential to creating an enhanced courtroom experience that not only fits the unique workflow and use cases of the space, but also preserves the historical and judicial integrity of the courtroom. When upgrading a courtroom space, several technology considerations should be kept top of mind, such as:

• Is the audio quality clear, understandable, and echo-free throughout the entire courtroom?
• Does our technology make it simple to connect remote participants (i.e. remote experts, vulnerable witnesses) over video into the courtroom? Can video participation save costs and eliminate security risks in other ways?
• Is it easy to share content from any device and collaborate on this content when multiple pieces of evidence are presented?
• Does the judge have proper control over certain key functions of the system such as muting microphones when necessary?

From personal MDJ offices to conference rooms and courtrooms of all sizes, Vistacom truly understands the unique technology requirements for all judicial settings from many years of experience in designing, implementing and supporting these types of technology systems. As video conferencing and professional grade AV solutions quickly become more of a necessity than a “nice to have” within the judicial system, finding an integration partner that can guide you through the options, the intricacies of configuration and deployment, and the proper support after installation is critical to ensuring the highest quality and maximum uptime for a seamless technology experience.

For more information about Vistacom’s video conferencing solutions, procuring tech through Vistacom’s COSTARS contract, or how we’ve been helping other counties in your area, please feel free to contact us today.

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