Courtroom Technology

The United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania is committed to ensuring the effective and efficient administration of justice and to providing exceptional service to all litigants and practitioners who come before the Court. All courtrooms are equipped with digital court recording. Click on the links (pictures) below to explore our three locations, which were brought on-line in four phases starting in 2002.

Currently, twenty courtrooms have full electronic capabilities. Each includes technology designed to effectively manage and present evidence and testimony. Components of the electronic courtrooms include Digital Evidence Presentation; Integrated Document Camera; Integrated Video Conferencing; DVD Player; Evidence Annotation; and infrastructure enhancements that support multiple serial connections for laptops and mobile devices. Flat panel monitors are placed throughout the courtroom for the benefit of the judge, jury, counsel, litigants, Court staff and members of the public.

James A. Byrne U.S. Courthouse - Philadelphia, PA

In the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, both District Judge Courtrooms and Magistrate Judge Courtrooms have electronic capabilities.

District Judge Courtrooms - James A. Byrne U.S. Courthouse

All District Judge Courtrooms in the James A. Byrne Courthouse are equipped with:

• Digital Court Reporting

Courtrooms 3A, 3B, 7B, 9A, 10A, 10B, 11A, 12A*, 12B, 14B**, 15A**, 15B, 16A, 17A and 17B are full electronic courtrooms which have:

• Evidence Presentation System
• Video and Audio Conferencing
• Document Camera
• Video Monitors in the cell block for prisoners to view courtroom proceedings in certain circumstances
• Cabling Infrastructure for Real-Time Court Reporting

*Courtroom 12A is fully handicapped accessible.

**Courtrooms 14B and 15A have wireless tablets for the jurors to view evidence in the jury box.

Click on this link for a list of equipment information.

Magistrate Judge Courtrooms - James A. Byrne U.S. Courthouse

All Magistrate Judge Courtrooms in the James A. Byrne Courthouse are equipped with:

• Digital Court Reporting

Courtrooms 3C, 3D and 3I are equipped with audio/visual presentation systems. Each is equipped with the following:

• Assisted Listening
• Integrated Court Interpreting
• Evidence Presentation System
• Video and Audio Conferencing
• Document Camera

Courtrooms 3G and 3H are equipped with a Document Camera and an Evidence Presentation System.

Click on this link for a list of equipment information.

Edward N. Cahn U.S. Courthouse & Federal Building - Allentown, PA

There is one electronic courtroom in the Cahn Courthouse. This courtroom, Courtroom 4B, offers an updated sound system and full evidence presentation equipment.

Courtroom B - Edward N. Cahn U.S. Courthouse & Federal Building

Courtroom 4B has an audio/visual presentation system which includes:

• Digital Court Reporting
• Assisted Listening
• Integrated Court Interpreting
• Evidence Presentation System
• Video and Audio Conferencing
• Document Camera
• Cabling Infrastructure for Real-Time Court Reporting

Click on this link for a list of equipment information.

Holmes Building, 4th Floor - Easton, PA

The Gateway Building - Reading, PA

Courtrooms - Easton, PA and Reading, PA

Both have audio/visual presentation systems which include:

• Digital Court Reporting
• Assisted Listening
• Integrated Court Interpreting
• Evidence Presentation System
• Video and Audio Conferencing
• Document Camera
• Cabling Infrastructure for Real-Time Court Reporting

Click on this link for a list of equipment information.

Equipment List

The electronic courtrooms at the Eastern District of Pennsylvania provide a wide array of technical components that support evidence presentation, remote site interactions, language interpreting and audio enhancement. The technologies include:

• 

• Assisted Listening

  Wireless headphones will amplify proceedings for the hearing impaired.

   

  Language Interpreting

  Wireless headphones will support the delivery of simultaneous interpretation of court proceedings to multiple litigants or jurors.

   

  Multiple Language Interpreting

  Wireless headphones will support the delivery of simultaneous interpretation of court proceedings in up to two languages. Available in Courtrooms 3A and 3B.

• 

• Infrared Emitter

  The infrared emitter transmits audio to wireless headphones on multiple channels for the purpose of amplifying proceedings for the hearing impaired and accommodating the interpretation of a single language.

• 

• Video Conferencing

  The video conferencing system complies with industry standards and is compatible with compliant systems anywhere.

• Audio Conferencing

  Courtrooms are outfitted with teleconferencing equipment with ridge service, capable of supporting up to 32 remote dial-in site.

• 

• Document/Video Presentation

  Through touch screen technology and an interface with counsel supplied laptops, exhibits from disk or hard drive may be displayed from counsel table or evidence presentation station to unobtrusive flat panel monitors positioned throughout the jury box and the courtroom.

• 

• Wireless Tablets

  Jurors can view evidence on wireless tablets in the jury box. Installed in Courtrooms 14B and 15A.

•       

• Evidence Presentation Station

  The evidence presentation station located near the lectern contains components that will be utilized by counsel during a court presentation. Touch screen annotation, Blu-Ray/DVD player, document camera, and connections for laptops are included.

• 

• Touch Screen Annotation

  There is touch screen annotation capability at the lectern and witness stand that is part of the video presentation system. This allows counsel and witnesses to make annotations on exhibits or videos being displayed on the document/video presentation system. Attention can be drawn to details displayed on the flat monitors throughout the courtroom. Annotation may also be used as an electronic white board.

• 

• Document Camera

  The document camera will display the image of paper documents, x-rays, negatives, transparencies and 3-D objects on the monitors throughout the courtroom. Zoom features are included.

• Blu-Ray/DVD Player

  Blu-Ray/DVD players will support the presentation of video depositions or evidence to each monitor in the courtroom.

• Digital Audio Recording System

  The official court record will be digitally recorded on four audio channels which are reserved for designated speakers. This allows the review of each channel separately for precise transcription of the testimony. In addition, electronic log notes support the easy retrieval of any portion of the court proceedings instantly, eliminating the time-consuming need for searching through audio tapes. This system has been installed in all of the courtrooms.

• Cabling Infrastructure for Real-Time Court Reporting

  Cabling is included that will support the use of real-time court reporting.

• 

• Computer Connection Access

  VGA or HDMI connection to the evidence presentation system is available to counsel for those who use laptop computers at the evidence presentation station and the counsel tables.

Projects

Renovations to Courtroom 4B in the Edward N. Cahn U.S. Courthouse & Federal Building in Allentown, PA, beginning in January 2019.

Training and Additional Information

The Court welcomes the bar to make use of these technologies and training is available at the James A. Byrne Courthouse in Philadelphia, PA. For information regarding training, please contact the relevant courtroom deputy.

Ten FAQs Regarding Electronic Courtrooms

Requesting an Electronic Courtroom

For more information about scheduling an Electronic Courtroom, please contact the assigned judge’s courtroom deputy.

Requesting Use of a Video Teleconferencing System for Conference

For more information about the Use of a Video Teleconferencing System for Conferences, please contact the assigned judge’s courtroom deputy.