Justice in the Digital Age:  Exploring Smart Courtrooms

Courtrooms, long associated with tradition, formality, and paper-heavy proceedings, are now undergoing a gradual digital transformation. In courts across the nation, “smart courtrooms” are emerging—spaces equipped with advanced technologies that are reshaping how justice is delivered. 

Smart courtroom technologies are making modern court proceedings more inclusive and accessible for all participants. From judges and attorneys to litigants and spectators—even those participating remotely—these tools enhance the ability to follow and understand the proceedings, ultimately strengthening the administration of justice. 

The technologies described below represent some of the most effective solutions we as courthouse planners have observed in smart courtrooms—applicable in both traditional settings and hybrid models where some participants join remotely.

• Evidence presentation systems: Evidence presentation systems enhance courtroom efficiency by enabling clear, simultaneous viewing of exhibits through document cameras, wireless content sharing, and digital annotation. These systems typically include monitors, switching equipment, annotation tools, and integrated AV controls that allow seamless presentations from multiple sources. Evidence presentation systems reduce the need to shuffle through paper and can be integrated with case management systems to help preserve the record. 
  
  
• Hybrid video and audio systems: We have seen many courts adopt a hybrid approach to holding proceedings since the pandemic—with some or, occasionally, all participants appearing virtually from locations outside the courthouse. Hybrid video and audio systems enable seamless integration with platforms like Zoom, Teams, and Webex, allowing remote participants to join proceedings securely and reliably. These systems support flexible courtroom operations by maintaining clear communication and preserving the integrity of legal processes, whether participants are onsite or connecting virtually.
  
  
• Large flat-screen displays and projection: Strategically placed throughout the courtroom, these systems ensure that all participants—judges, jurors, attorneys, and spectators—have clear visibility of evidence and other visual materials. Enhanced visibility supports better comprehension, promotes engagement, and contributes to a more efficient and equitable judicial process.
  
  
• Localized audio solution: Individualized microphones and speakers are placed throughout the courtroom to ensure clear, intelligible audio for all participants, including those joining remotely. This enhanced sound quality is critical for accurately capturing testimony, facilitating effective communication, and maintaining the integrity of the legal record.
  
  
• Multi-camera systems: Pan-Tilt-Zoom (PTZ) cameras provide flexible, high-quality video coverage of courtroom proceedings by automatically tracking judges, attorneys, witnesses, and other participants as they speak. This capability supports accurate recordings, clear remote viewing, and streamlined hybrid hearings. Emerging technologies now include AI-powered tracking and voice-activated camera switching, further improving video clarity and reducing the need for manual control.
  
  
• Flexible control interfaces: Touchscreen panels and intuitive control systems allow courtroom staff to easily manage audio, video, lighting, and other technology from a single interface. By simplifying system operation, these interfaces help maintain a professional courtroom environment and ensure proceedings run efficiently and without interruption.
  
  
• Digital court recording and archiving: Secure digital systems capture, transcribe, and store courtroom proceedings with precision, creating a reliable and easily accessible legal record. Emerging trends include AI-assisted transcription and searchable audio indexing, which enhance efficiency and reduce the time required to retrieve and review case information.
  
  
• Assistive listening systems: We have seen courts becoming increasingly accommodative to participants with hearing impairments by installing assistive listening systems. These systems use wireless transmitters paired with personal receivers—typically worn as headsets or hearing aid-compatible devices—to deliver amplified sound directly to individuals with hearing impairments. By improving speech clarity and minimizing background noise, assistive listening systems ensure all participants can fully engage in courtroom proceedings, reinforcing accessibility and inclusivity in the justice system.
  
  
• Remote interpreting: I was recently told by an urban New York court that they service a community that speaks more than 90 languages. It wouldn’t be feasible to have interpreters onsite to accommodate this large need. As a result, a growing number of courts are relying on remote interpreting systems to connect non-English speakers with certified interpreters via audio or video feed, often through a dedicated phone line or video cart in the courtroom. The interpreter, located offsite, listens to the proceedings in real time and provides immediate translation through a headset or speaker for the party in need. This approach expands access to language services, reduces delays, and ensures that all participants can fully understand and engage in the legal process.
  
  
• Mobile hybrid courtroom solutions: These portable systems include compact AV carts equipped with cameras, microphones, monitors, and secure network access, enabling courts to conduct remote or hybrid hearings in temporary or nontraditional spaces. They are especially useful for disaster recovery, emergency operations, or when additional courtroom capacity is needed. For example, a courthouse undergoing renovation may deploy a mobile system in a nearby municipal building to maintain uninterrupted judicial services.

Final Thoughts

As courts continue to evolve, the integration of smart technologies is no longer a luxury but a necessity for ensuring accessibility, efficiency, and fairness in the justice system. By embracing tools that support remote participation, enhance evidence presentation, and promote inclusivity, smart courtrooms are helping bridge the gap between tradition and innovation. Smart courtrooms aren’t just the future—they’re quickly becoming the new standard for justice.