U.S. Federal Court System
Courts now take advantage of video and photographic evidence, recorded interviews, and virtual testimony from witnesses and experts outside the courtroom. Recording and reviewing courtroom proceedings can provide valuable learning and streaming opportunities. Microphones and audiovisual systems allow all court participants and viewers to hear and interpret the proceedings.
To keep up with the changes in technology, many courtrooms are undergoing renovations and technology assessments to help them adapt. IP Design Group often recommends upgrades including:
- Upgrading all monitors for jury, judges, attorneys, witnesses, gallery, clerks, and transcriptionists to transmit video over digital signal (HDMI, DVI-D, or Display port) and replacing all existing video cables.
- Replacing all existing analog video inputs located on faceplates, floor boxes, or table top pop-ups. Remove VGA inputs for monitors at tabletops and replace with HDMI inputs. Provide all input locations with additional inputs for laptops, including an HDMI and VGA input, to support any legacy equipment that may be brought into courtrooms.
- Replacing all existing video distribution equipment, including switchers and distribution amplifiers. This often requires replacement of all video cabling to these locations. A fiber optic infrastructure can be installed within each courtroom to provide higher bandwidth to carry high resolution video signals and support any future upgrades.
- Removing all VHS and cassette players within the podium/cart, upgrading to Blu-ray players. A digital switcher/scaler accepts the inputs from the Blu-ray player, document cameras, and other video inputs at the cart, such as faceplates for video inputs of laptops and other devices, and output signals of at least 1080p.
- Replacing existing audio signal processing equipment with a new Audio Networking Server.
Because speech is so important in court proceedings, proper acoustics are essential in courtrooms. However, hard surfaces, like the plaster ceilings found in many historical buildings, can lead to loud spaces. An acoustical analysis is often performed, which includes acoustical modeling of key spaces. These models help the IP Design Group acoustical team provide recommendations including:
- Appropriate building materials and acoustical treatments needed to meet the acoustic performance requirements.
- Sound reinforcement system design that improves speech intelligibility by providing the highest quality system, as well as optimal loudspeaker locations and aiming for sound distribution.
- Recommendations for audio conferencing capabilities, digital audio recording, and a white noise system for privacy during bench conferences.
While these are some of the common concerns IP Design Group has seen in many courthouses across the country, it is important to remember that every space is different. To identify and address specific problems, contact IP Design Group today for an interactive planning session.
Courtroom Technology Design Experience
U.S. District Court San Antonio
San Antonio, Texas
U.S. District Court Des Moines
Des Moines, Iowa
U.S. District Court, District of Kentucky Historical Courtroom
Lexington, Kentucky
General Service Administration Courtroom Renovations
Tucson, Arizona
U.S. District Court, Western District of New York Court Integrated Technology
Rochester, New York
U.S. District Court, District of South Dakota Courtrooms Audiovisual Upgrade
Sioux Falls, Pierre, and Rapid City, South Dakota
U.S. District Court, Western District of North Carolina Courtrooms Audiovisual Upgrade
Statesville, North Carolina
U.S. District Court, District of Alaska
Anchorage, Alaska
U.S. District Court, District of Colorado
Durango, Colorado
U.S. Probation and Parole, Eastern District of California Audiovisual Upgrade
San Diego, California
Quentin N. Burdick United States Courthouse
Fargo, North Dakota
Buffalo County Courthouse
Kearney, Nebraska
Carroll County Courthouse
Carroll, Iowa
Dawson County Courthouse
Lexington, Nebraska
Dodge County Courthouse
Fremont, Nebraska
Douglas County Hall of Justice
Omaha, Nebraska
Hall County Courthouse
Grand Island, Nebraska
Keokuk County Courthouse
Sigourney, Iowa
Lancaster County City/County Building
Lincoln, Nebraska
Mills County Courthouse
Glenwood, Iowa
Muscatine Courthouse
Muscatine, Iowa
Pierce County Courthouse
Pierce, Nebraska
Platte County Courthouse
Columbus, Nebraska
Polk County Courthouse
Des Moines, Iowa
Sarpy County Courthouse
Papillion, Nebraska
Wahoo City/County Building
Wahoo, Nebraska
Washington County Courthouse
Blair, Nebraska
Washita County Courthouse
Cordell, Oklahoma
Benton County Courthouse
Bentonville, Arkansas
Polk County Justice Center
Des Moines, Iowa
Polk County Criminal Courts
Des Moines, Iowa
