Confronted with the CoVID-19 crisis, the court system turned on a dime. Emerging from exigent necessity, digital appearances, once a novel occurrence, are now standard practice. Both the speed of the historic shift in fundamental operations and the transformation itself are noteworthy, especially in an environment that reveres tradition and precedent.
Luddite judges may remain hesitant to embrace this swift, historic technological revolution. Overwhelmed judicial officers may have not had time to consider the ethical implications of the digital courtroom. Many are simply in desperate need of a digital background make-over.
An examination of the legal authority and ethical considerations for videoconference appearances and a review of how to navigate the basic digital requirements will promote judicial technological literacy. Judicial technological literacy creates more effective judges in the digital courtroom and promotes the public's confidence in the judiciary (more…)