NCJ Number
31526
Journal
Judicature Volume: 59 Issue: 5 Dated: (DECEMBER 1975) Pages: 222-229
Date Published
1975
Length
8 pages
Annotation
A REVIEW OF THE APPLICATIONS AND ADVANTAGES OF USING VIDEOTAPE TECHNOLOGY IN CIVIL AND CRIMINAL TRIAL COURTS, WITH A DISCUSSIONS OF THE PROCEDURAL AND TECHNICAL MODIFICATIONS THAT THIS TECHNOLOGY WOULD NECESSITATE.
Abstract
THE AUTHOR FIRST PROVIDES A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE USE OF VIDEOTAPES IN THE COURT. LEGAL ISSUES INVOLVING THE ADMISSIBILITY OF VIDEOTAPE EVIDENCE ARE ALSO DISCUSSED AMONG THE COURT APPLICATIONS CONSIDERED IN THIS ARTICLE ARE VIDEOTAPE RECORDINGS OF WITNESS DEPOSITIONS, PRESERVATION OF PERISHABLE EVIDENCE OF VIDEOTAPES, USE OF VIDEOTAPES AS TRIAL TRANSCRIPTS, AND VIDEOTAPE PRERECORDING OF AN ENTIRE TRIAL TO BE SHOWN TO A JURY. THE IMPACT OF SUCH APPLICATIONS ON THE RIGHT TO CONFRONT WITNESSES, THE RIGHT TO A PUBLIC TRIAL, AND THE RIGHT TO A JURY ARE BRIEFLY DISCUSSED. USE OF VIDEOTAPE ON THE APPELLATE LEVEL IS ALSO CONSIDERED. ADVANTAGES OF USING VIDEOTAPE IN TERMS OF CASE SCHEDULING, COURT TIME, MAINTENANCE OF OBJECTIVITY, AND RECORDS MAINTENANCE ARE DISCUSSED FOR THE JUDICIARY, THE JURY, ATTORNEYS, AND COURT PERSONNEL. THE COST-EFFECTIVENESS OF VIDEOTAPE USE IN THE COURTS IS BRIEFLY REVIEWED.