Effective Use of Courtroom Technology: A Judge’s Guide to Pretrial and Trial

Preface

This guide describes the substantive and procedural considerations that may arise when lawyers bring electronic equipment to the courtroom or use court-provided equipment for displaying or playing evidentiary exhibits or illustrative aids during trial. The guide sets out what lawyers are normally trying to accomplish, the objections opposing counsel may raise, and the considerations of fairness that may attend the various uses of courtroom technology. The materials cover issues that are raised with some frequency as well as more arcane matters that may arise only in special circumstances. The organization of the materials is intended to facilitate quick reference without any need to read the entire volume, and to assist in the conduct of trials using technology from the initial phases of discovery through posttrial briefing. The Federal Judicial Center, which provides research and educational programs for federal judges and court personnel, joined with the National Institute for Trial Advocacy, a nonprofit organization that has provided trial

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Trial Technology PowerPoint Jury Instructions

When I started discussing my experience giving jury instructions by PowerPoint, one of my colleagues blurted out, “I’m not sure I see the point. If you want them to fol‑ low along, why not just give them each a set of typed instructions to read while you’re reading them out loud? . . . I find PowerPoint unspeakably boring and oppressive. It’s generally an indulgence that hinders rather than promotes communications. It’s a bit like being forced to watch your neighbor’s two-hour slide show following a vacation.” My colleague then defiantly inquired: “How do you know the jurors liked it? . . . I hated the PowerPoint presentation I was forced to watch when I was a juror, but no one ever asked me. No doubt the lawyer who used it will claim that jurors like it.” Well, it seems that my colleague really gave me a piece of his mind on the intrusion of PowerPoint into his life.

Additional Resource: Court Technology Framework | National Center for State Courts

Courthouse: Courtroom | WBDG - Whole Building Design Guide

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