Video Court System

Video Courtrooms in Kentucky - 1988 Innovations in State and Local Government Award Winner

Historically, video made its debut in the Commonwealth in 1982, when Circuit Judge James Chenault of Madison County requested that his courtroom be equipped with an experimental video court recording device.

Subsequently, in 1984 the first operatorless system was installed in Jefferson County (Louisville). To date, 63 of 93 circuit judges in 44 counties use 72 similar systems to record court proceedings. This represents 68% of the circuit court caseload.

The automatic video court recording system utilized by Kentucky courts was the first of its kind. It was specifically designed for the Kentucky Court of Justice.

In addition, there are approximately 254 systems in place in 22 states and several companies who design and build video court recording systems.

Cameras, microphones, VCRs and a program sound mixer are the devices used in a video courtroom.

Cameras are mounted in various locations so as to record the entire court proceeding -- testimony of witnesses, bench conferences, objections, etc. The typical system, for example, has five (5) wall mounted cameras in the courtroom and one (1) camera in the judge's chambers.

The chamber camera permits the judge to question witnesses or parties within the confines of his or her own chambers. This is most beneficial in confidential proceedings, such as those involving children. In addition, the judge may review taped portions of hearings or trials in the privacy of his or her own office.

Voice activated microphones are strategically placed through-out the courtroom. The VCRs, which operate the system, generally are located near the bench. The judge usually is responsible for turning the equipment on and off, before and after trials. When the equipment is on, two green lights will appear on the front of the judge's bench.

Both the camera and microphones are programmed to lock-in on an individual speaker and do not switch until that person has finished speaking. A computer programmed sound mixer switches the cameras from person to person (video follows audio) to provide close-ups of the judge, witnesses, and attorneys as individual microphones transmit.

A 1990 study by the National Center for State Courts stated, in terms of benefits and cost efficiency, videotaping is the most advantageous means of court reporting. (Hewitt, William E., Videotaped Trial Records - Evaluation and Guide. National Center for State Courts, 1990.) Strengths of the video courtroom include, but are not limited to:

• Availability,
• Accuracy,
• Reliability,
• Flexibility,
• Cost effective,
• Time reduction and
• Improved demeanor.

As with all programs, there are several concerns associated with the implementation of video in the courtroom which include:

• Storage and safekeeping of trial exhibits,
• Keeping logs of exhibits,
• Limited scope of cameras,
• Locating specific points in the record,
• Equipment failure and
• Reviewing the video record
  (i.e. takes more time to watch a video than it does to read a brief or case).
  

The Kentucky Court of Justice is now in the process of installing video arraignment systems in an effort to improve court security.