A state-of-the-art courtroom designed to enhance the delivery of justice to children and families served by the New York City Family Court was unveiled Dec. 19 in Brooklyn. Celebrating the opening were Chief Administrative Judge Lawrence K. Marks, Deputy Chief Administrative Judge for Justice Initiatives Edwina G. Mendelson, New York City Family Court Administrative Judge Jeanette Ruiz, and Dr. William C. Bell, president and CEO of Casey Family Programs, which works to safely reduce the need for foster care and supported the launch of the high-tech courtroom.

The Kings County Integrated Courtroom Technology (ICT) part has been specially equipped to ease the handling of trials. Some of the notable features include: a tech-based evidence system that enhances the presentation of evidence and allows witnesses to mark exhibits; AV capabilities that can facilitate remote court interpreting and remote court proceedings; assistive listening aids for hearing-impaired individuals; real-time court reporting capabilities for instantaneous voice-to-text transcription; and wireless internet access for all participants.

This ICT part follows the rollout of three other ICT sites in New York City Family Court: one in the Bronx that handles juvenile delinquency matters; another in Manhattan that hears child welfare cases; and a third in a trial part in Queens that hears custody, visitation and family offense cases.