The number one mistake attorneys make is not knowing how to
activate the monitor port on their laptop so they can
project their laptop onto the large screen in the courtroom.
Generally, you can ‘toggle’ between three modes using the
Function key [Fn] and the Screen key (look on your ‘Fx’
keys, i.e. F4, F7, etc; you should see the icon of a screen
or monitor). The three modes are generally:
1-laptop, 2-monitor,3-both. Stop by and test your laptop so
you know how to configure it to work correctly.
To project on to the large screen, there
is a station at counsel table where you select
‘Source’ (DVD, VCR, Doc Camera, etc) and then select ‘Send’
to send it to the large plasma screen. Note: Computer is
not an option for the attorney station; to send computer
images, you must ask the judge to send the command or use
the court officer’s station.
Do not ever let your client near the touch screens on
counsel table. If he touches it, bright arrows will appear
and everyone will see it. (In my first trial at the new
courthouse, while a photo was being displayed to an officer
on the witness stand, the defendant sitting at defense table
– in an effort to be helpful to
his attorney - pointed on the screen. A bright arrow
appeared to all in the courtroom pointing directly at the
cap of burned heroin).
To turn on the document camera, press and hold the power
button until you see the light indicator flashing.
Tell yourself and your witnesses to speak up and speak
clearly, but not to lean in to the microphone. Doing so only
creates pops and harsh static that is hard to bear for very
long. And you will only sound like the manager announcing a
K-Mart special. Simply position yourself normally and
speak clearly.
There are several sources for presenting material: DVD, VCR,
Computer, Document Camera, as well as RCA cables (Video,
Left/Right Audio) and 3.5 mm mini-plug (Audio). So, for
example, If you have a mini-DV video to play, you would need
to plug your video camera outputs into the RCA
input cables
(located on the front of the DVD/VCR. If you have a
micro-cassette audio to play you could either use the 3.5 mm
mini-plug, or bring your own adapter to convert to RCA.
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3.5 mm
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RCA |
Here is a tip
sheet on how the new touch screens work.
