COURTECHFORUM

Power Point: A Lawyer’s best Friend

admin — Mon, 18 Jul 2011 00:00:00 +0000

Today’s technology is rapidly expanding in every way shape and form that you can imagine. So fast that it is actually grabbing the attention of federal and state judges. Power Point can be an asset to many lawyers around the world for many reasons. They have the ability to capture the audiences attention quite effectively by taking facts from any given case and put them right on the wall. Anything from photos, videos, text, etc. can be displayed on the wall giving the lawyer a visual advantage over the plaintiff/defendant. It’s one of the most stimulating ways to present evidence in a case. Lugging around white boards and tri-folds to display information is almost a thing of the past. With a power point, you not only get to the point quickly and effectively, but it can also jog the memory of many of the witnesses. However, you must be careful to not overuse the technology; if one gets too dependent upon the technology of today, they may forget all about crucial facts to the case. Some may forget all about the witnesses that were there and all who saw it because they are too busy worried about a slide show for the court room. ‘With great technology comes great responsibility’ you may say.Still bored? Click to continue: Swiss political party tries to ban PowerPoint

Technology Can Amplify Soft Frightened Voices During Testimony

admin — Sun, 10 Jul 2011 00:00:00 +0000

Technology plays an important role in today’s courtrooms. For example, microphones attached to witness booths amplify voices during testimony. Advocates may use this to their advantage. A skillful trial attorney may ask frightened witnesses with soft voices to hold the microphone closer while speaking so the jury can hear them. The advocate knows that a shy person with a microphone held too close may come off as assertive and confident. In certain situations, loud and boisterous answers help win arguments. Advocates might even wait for a specific question and then request the witness to speak louder, making one part of the testimony sound different from the other. Such a tactic can change the way a jury interprets the testimony.

Microphones are in virtually every courtroom. Witnesses should prepare accordingly. Failure to do so could be damaging to the testimony they intend to present. Witnesses can prepare for the microphone by using them during depositions or at home before trial. Filming testimony spoken into a microphone may also be a great way for witnesses to develop an understanding of the way a jury might perceive them. It might also be useful to recite answers to specific questions without a microphone and then recite them with a microphone. Comparing the way each one sounds might help to gain insight into the way a jury might interpret the testimony. Undoubtedly, knowledge of the way testimony will sound with a microphone might help a witness deliver the correct message during trial.Keep looking, there’s more: ‘Gamesmanship’ Leads to Sudden Halt in Casey Anthony Trial

Cameras in the Courtroom: Pros and Cons

admin — Wed, 06 Jul 2011 00:00:00 +0000

You may or may not be aware of it, but there has been a raging debate about if cameras should be allowed in courtrooms. This debate has been raging for a while with people on both sides raising good points and concerns.

On the pro side of the debate we hear cries for more transparency. People believe that they have a right to see what is happening in a court of the law that their tax dollars have helped to pay for.Get more information here. http://gizmodo.com/5810100/cameras-returning-to-federal-courtrooms-for-the-first-time-since-1946 They say that cameras will help the media to be able to report to the public about exactly what is happening.

On the con side, we hear plenty about people who say that they believe that the cameras cause a distraction and could even be dangerous. If someone who is believed to be guilty has his or her face plastered all over the papers, then an angry public might try to take justice into their own hands. This would cause a public safety crisis that no one wants to have to deal with. They also claim that this turns the courtroom proceedings into a form of entertainment for the public, and that is not what the law is all about.

Trends in Courtroom Tech

admin — Wed, 29 Jun 2011 00:00:00 +0000

There are many applications for new courtroom technologies, some of which are making administering justice easier than ever. Here are a few of the ways in which courtrooms across the US are harnessing technology to speed up trials and get verdicts out quicker.
TVs: some courtrooms now come equipped with state-of-the-art flatscreen televisions. Jurors in the box is the TVs to view evidence up close while it’s being discussed which makes assigning a verdict even easier.
Internet: gone are the days when Internet was banned from courtrooms since it’s virtually impossible to monitor smart phone use. Prosecutors and defenders alike now rely on wireless internet to make sure they have Internet access even in a courtroom that doesn’t have an Internet hookup.
E-filing: lawyers in modern courtrooms now have the option of filing all their paperwork electronically. This stops the massive paper trail that once dictated courtroom procedures and made information more accessible and less likely to get lost over time.
These are just a few of the ways modern courtrooms are harnessing technology to make the business of administering justice smoother than ever.

Cisco WebEx Meeting Center Provides Solutions

admin — Thu, 12 May 2011 00:00:00 +0000

Years ago, the legal community instantly realized the many benefits of video depositions. Therefore, it comes as no surprise that lawyers are also quick to appreciate the advantages video conferencing has to offer. In this belt-tightening economy, video conferencing is a cost-effective system that lets lawyers from small or large firms satisfy the legal needs of their clients while keeping costs under control and increasing their efficiency without hiring additional staff.

Video conferencing is becoming a significant factor in keeping budgets under control as the time we have for getting things done is ever decreasing. Video conferencing can be used in a host of different environments, which is one of the reasons the technology is rapidly increasing in popularity. The magic of video conferencing is that it has erased all borders.

How else could lawyers be multiple places at one time? What other system would let litigations teams from across the country get together for regular meetings without incurring travel expenses and other added costs of face-to-face communication? What technology would permit an expert witness from Ohio to testify live in a California courtroom without leaving his office? Perhaps there will be a time in the not-too-distant future when lawyers will be able to attend hearings on motions without the necessity of appearing in person at the courthouse. This is an exciting and versatile innovation and well worth investigating. The possibilities are limitless.

Access Webinars as a Source of Learning

admin — Sat, 30 Apr 2011 00:00:00 +0000

Learning can take on many different forms, and the ability to access webinars as a source of learning is a wonderful tool. A webinar is a web-based seminar that allows people from all over the world to communicate, watch lectures, and share ideas. Webinars are increasingly common for online universities or training programs that cater to people who cannot attend a traditional classroom.

A webinar is set up for a pre-determined time and will often have the instructor shown via webcam and the rest of the participants can send questions through instant messages or even connect a microphone to ask questions. This allows the instructor to use visual aids and send documents to the students, and to address concerns and questions instead of a passive lecture. A participant can also show video clips and pause it to discuss the events and lead a discussion to get input from the other participants.

Many webinars can also be recorded and saved for future use. If a student was not able to participate in it live, they can watch the recording and still get the same information and input from others – much better than the old technique of copying notes that may have been incomplete or inaccurate. Another benefit of webinars is that they allow students to build a connection with the other students and the instructor that will make the learning more personal and meaningful.

Consider a Trial and Litigation Consulting Service

admin — Fri, 15 Apr 2011 00:00:00 +0000

For any individual that will be involved in any court proceedings or arbitration based proceedings, it is important to have a detailed legal plan in place. Due to the sophistication of today’s court proceedings, an individual must be well-versed in the intricacies of the legal system in order to have a good chance of success. Due to the fact that most everyday individuals don’t have a detailed knowledge of the court system, a trial and litigation consulting service will be a very helpful option for the individual.

A trial and litigation consulting service will offer the individual assistance in the litigation of an out-of-court settlement of their case, if the case does not go to trial. These services offer an individual an avenue in which to obtain assistance in the negotiation of the terms of the arbitration of a legal matter. These professionals give their clients the best preparation of an argument that will give them the greatest chance of receiving the most beneficial settlement for them.

These services also help in the preparation for trial. These professionals help attorneys prepare cases by improving the arguments presented, helping to select juries, and many other areas of the entire trial process.

Can’t Afford to Buy Technology? Consider Leasing It

admin — Fri, 01 Apr 2011 00:00:00 +0000

The economy has made it difficult for business owners and entrepreneurs to obtain the equipment needed to start or expand a business. Many business people find that they could improve their business with better equipment, a different telephone system or even advanced computer technologies. However, they are unable to establish lines of credit or obtain loans for this purpose. Progress cannot sit still, so what options do these business owners have?

The best way to obtain newer technologies and equipment for your business without making a purchase is to lease the equipment. Leasing provides many benefits to the owner above the ability to instantly obtain the equipment needed. For example, if newer technologies are available in two years that will increase your businesses potential, you will not have to make another purchase, simply upgrade your equipment through the leasing company.

Another advantage of leased property is the ability to make payments on a larger purchase that you may not have been able to afford by purchasing outright. Many businesses fail because they cannot keep up with the latest equipment and the services those pieces provide. With the ability to lease this equipment, businesses can make that move to a new and improved product or service, allowing them to stay competitive and in the market.

mgeedey — Mon, 17 Jan 2011 00:00:00 +0000

If you’ve been waiting for an App that will make your life as a member of the legal profession a whole lot more streamline it seems that Esq Apps, a Santa Cruz California-based company spearheaded by California attorney Adam D. Brumm, Esquire and technology guru Mischa Lockton have the answer. The company develops innovative mobile technology applications for lawyers and law firms and introduced their latest entry into the fold iPleading on January 4^th of this year. iPleading is designed to allow attorneys and other law professionals to easily create litigation documents on their iPhone and related products thereby bypassing time consuming problems often associated with formatting in other programs, such as Microsoft. The company states that “Microsoft Word is a product that was built for everyone. The iPleading was created by a busy attorney for other busy attorneys who need to file a document with the court.” Additionally, iPleading never requests information regarding client or subject matter pertaining to legal issued to prevent storage of confidential information on a mobile device.The App is easy to use and can be broken into five easy steps:

The attorney fills out their publicly available information for the top left corner of the pleading.
Select optional fields such as firm name, a second attorney name, or name of a court.
Click the “Create and Send” button.
Open the email message containing the two files that make up the iPleading.
Fill in and complete your attorney work product as you normally would on your main workstation or laptop.

The company states that iPleading is the “first mobile legal template generator designed to follow customs of the legal professions and the rules of State and Federal Courts.”If you’re interested in learning more about the product for yourself or your firm, contact the company at 831.406.1377.

Learn About Wi-Fi

mgeedey — Thu, 09 Dec 2010 00:00:00 +0000

If you’re planning on getting up-to-speed on some technology now that it is becoming more commonplace in the courtroom setting you might want to first start with one of the most basic (and helpful) of technologies: Wi-Fi. In short, Wi-Fi stands for Wireless Fidelity and is used to define any of the wireless technology that allows you to use your computer (laptop or otherwise) to gain Internet access without the use of wires for connectivity. The only requirement is that the user must be using a computer that has Wi-Fi connectivity already working. Most portable computers can add Wi-Fi using an adapter that plugs into a PC card slot or USB port. And while many courtrooms provide the wireless technology for laptops to be used, there are many other access areas (known as “hotspots”) where online work can be done such as libraries, coffee shops, academic locations, hotels, and more. Knowing that the Wi-Fi wireless broadband connection will allow you to do anything on your computer that you would be able to do from the office or home, is there any reason that you wouldn’t want to start using the technology? Imagine researching cases in the shade of an umbrella on the beach. We thought that one would convince you!