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Evidence Presentation Systems

The Eastern District of Virginia has evidence presentation systems available at each courthouse. The systems enable attorneys from their notebook computer to present evidence simultaneously to everyone in the courtroom through a system of LCD display screens.

Attorneys interested in using the systems must first receive approval from the judge presiding in their case one week before they intend to use the system. Requesting parties should submit a written request to the chambers of the trial judge to attain the required permission to use their notebook computer and the court’s evidence presentation system. The systems are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Attorneys are responsible for using their notebook computer to present scanned documents, images and play audio, video and DVD/CDs.  Attorneys are responsible for operating the evidence presentation system. Court employees are not authorized to handle and operate attorneys’ equipment.

Attorneys, their staff and contractors are not authorized to remove, relocate and reconfigure any of the court’s evidence presentation system equipment.

The court’s evidence presentation systems consist of a digital document camera, notebook computer input audio and video connections (3.5 stereo connectors and VGA 15 pin) and LCD display screens for the judge, witness, counsel and jury.  

Internet service is not provided in the courtrooms and is not authorized. Projectors and projector screens are not authorized in the courtrooms.

Notebook computer Wi-Fi and webcams must be disabled.

The court’s evidence presentation systems do not support HDMI or DVI. The native resolution of the evidence presentation system is 1024 x 768. The resolution of the attorney notebook computers should be set at 1024 x 768 prior to connecting the system. Notebook computer extended desktop will not consistently work with the court’s evidence presentation systems and is not recommended.

The court’s evidence presentation system allows attorneys to: 

•             Show scanned documents, present animations, display graphics and play videos stored digitally on a notebook computer.
•             Magnify portions of a paper document, a photo, or a small piece of physical evidence with a digital document camera.
•             Use any third-party evidence presentation software installed on their notebook computer.

Orientation prior to any use of the equipment is encouraged. Once you have received approval to use the evidence presentation system, please email the Court Technology Administrator, Lance Bachman, at Lance_Bachman@vaed.uscourts.gov to schedule an orientation.  Attorneys are responsible for attaining authorization from chambers to bring a notebook computer to the scheduled orientation.  Orientations are for learning how to use the court’s system and testing notebook computer connections. Practicing presentations and preparing witnesses is not authorized.

If you have any further technical questions about our evidence presentation systems, please contact Lance Bachman at 703-299-2148.