Electronic Courtrooms
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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. Electronic courtrooms are the latest technological innovation undertaken in support of our mission. 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.
History of Electronic Courtrooms in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania
The United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania has long pioneered the emergence of electronic capabilities in case processing, fiscal management, judicial administration and in courtroom proceedings. Courtroom technologies in this district were introduced as early as June of 1995, expediting the litigation process, providing increased security and reducing costs associated with court appearances or presentations. In July of 1998, the Clerk of Court requested design and funding authorization from the Administrative Office of U.S. Courts in order to introduce integrated electronic courtrooms as part of a multi-phase prospectus level renovation project at the U.S. Courthouse in Philadelphia. The request was approved and, as a result, district judge courtrooms 17A, 17B, 15B, 10A, 3A and 3B, as well as magistrate judge courtrooms 3C, 3D and 3I, were outfitted with state-of-the-art technologies. In addition, expediting the litigation process, installation of the electronic capabilities during the courtroom retrofit resulted in substantial cost savings.
The first three electronic courtrooms were introduced in the fall of 2001. Additional courtrooms were brought online in 2002, 2003 and 2004. 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.
Hearings, trials, depositions, video conferences and audio conferences have all been conducted in the electronic courtrooms. Video and audio conferencing have been used to conduct proceedings with judges, witnesses and litigants from all over the world. The Eastern District of Pennsylvania has had audio and video conferences with participants in the United Arab Emirates, Hungary, Turkey, the United Kingdom and many others.
James A. Byrne U.S. Courthouse - Philadelphia, PA
Our electronic courtrooms provide technological enhancements that foster trial efficiency while preserving the dignity and the fairness of the proceedings. In the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, both District Judge Courtrooms and Magistrate Judge Courtrooms have electronic capabilities.
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District Judge Courtrooms - James A. Byrne U.S. Courthouse
All District Judge Courtrooms in the James A. Byrne Courthouse are equipped with:
Courtrooms 3A, 3B, 7B, 9A, 9B, 10A, 10B, 11A, 12A*, 12B, 14B**, 15A**, 15B, 16A, 16B, 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.
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Magistrate Judge Courtrooms - James A. Byrne U.S. Courthouse
All Magistrate Judge Courtrooms in the James A. Byrne Courthouse are equipped with:
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.
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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 Madison Building - Reading, PA
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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.
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 state-of-the-art technologies include:
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Assisted Listening
Wireless headphones will amplify proceedings for the hearing impaired.
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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 (Courtrooms 3A and 3B).
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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.
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Video Conferencing
The video conferencing system complies with industry standards and is compatible with compliant systems anywhere. Use of video conferencing has provided a viable option to travel and resulted in increased convenience and cost savings for litigants and the U.S. Marshals Service.
Courtrooms are outfitted with teleconferencing equipment with ridge service, capable of supporting up to 32 remote dial-in sites.
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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.
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Wireless Tablets
Jurors can view evidence on wireless tablets in the jury box.
Installed in Courtrooms 14B and 15A.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Blu-Ray/DVD Player
Blu-Ray/DVD players will support the presentation of video depositions or evidence to each monitor in the courtroom.
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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.
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Cabling Infrastructure for Real-Time Court Reporting
Cabling is included that will support the use of real-time court reporting.
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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.
- 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. To complete an Electronic Courtroom Request Form, please click here for a PDF version or here for an on-line version. For information regarding training, please contact the relevant courtroom deputy. For additional information regarding electronic courtrooms & training, please see the FAQs and/or the Ten FAQs Regarding Electronic Courtrooms.
Ten FAQs Regarding Electronic Courtrooms
Electronic Courtroom Request Form
Please see the Electronic Courtroom Request Form
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Request to Use Video Teleconferencing System for Conference
Please see the Request to Use Video Teleconferencing System for Conference.