The Supreme Court of Tasmania hears civil and criminal cases around Tasmania. To streamline the courtroom proceedings, the Court requested submissions for the incorporation of the latest audio visual and communication technologies into the courtrooms.
The aim was to make it easier for Judges and Associates to control the courtroom proceedings and the information that the court viewed. Communication with witnesses and defendants outside the courtroom was also a requirement.
KWMC provided a comprehensive system that interlinked the required technologies and their control. The system provided the following:
- Protected Witness interview system that removes the witness from the courtroom into a controlled and safe environment
- Audio visual and computer generated evidence presentation within the court rooms and to ‘far end’ locations via video conference calls
- Multi-zone courtroom audio / video and VGA routing
- Video conferencing via ISDN and IP
- Motorised, retractable large LCD screens for close viewing of evidence by jury
- Interface with the existing court recording systems.
Control over all general court proceedings is gained from a user-friendly AMX touch panel and a behind-the-scenes integrated control system. The touch panel also has the ability to preview scenes and evidence prior to broadcasting.
The Judge has the required audio visual mutes and switching available via a simple desk control, together with a personal display to monitor views and material.
The court rooms are interconnected via a secure network and have the ability to share devices and locations (such as the Protected Witness rooms). The system also supports remote management, within and external to the Supreme Court’s network. This enables quick and efficient ‘help desk’ access, when and if required.
As a result of the new system, trials operate faster and more smoothly, as evidence can be easily broadcast to the jury and court for viewing.
Efficient and high-speed video conferencing communication has meant that fewer accused need to be transported to the Court for hearings, minimising the risk and cost of such transportation. This feature also enables protected witnesses to give evidence easily from a location other than the Court, minimising the distress caused by the court experience.
It was essential that the system was designed to be user-friendly due to the varying technical skills of staff to be using the system. As this criterion was successfully met, similar systems have been installed in the Supreme Courts of Launceston and Burnie. Upgrades of video conferencing equipment have also been carried out in various prisons and remand centres to interlink with the Supreme Court audio visual system.
Would you like to know more? Please contact us.
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