Chief Judge Rowan Wilson unveils new technology improvements, including monitors in the jury box, improved cameras to live cast trials and large monitors in the Queens district courtroom on June21, 2023. Photo: David Handschuh

The wave of planned tech upgrades for New York City's courthouses has come first to Queens Criminal Court, where the top brass for the state's judicial branch appeared on Wednesday to unveil a litany of new gadgets intended to heighten the court experience for participants and spectators alike. The innovations include individualized monitors, wireless microphones, echo-less audio systems, camera installation for better remote viewing—even a "bring your own device" evidence presentation system, in which counsel can present exhibits via a laptop, tablet or smartphone. Chief Judge Rowan Wilson, Chief Administrative Judge Joseph Zayas, Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz, Deputy Chief Administrative Judge for Justice Initiatives Edwina Richardson-Mendelson and Deputy Chief Administrative Judge for NYC Courts Deborah Kaplan were on hand to unveil the new integrative developments. The upgrades are part of the Office of Court Administration's Court Modernization Initiative (CMI). "The integrative technology comprising the CMI—from advanced audio and video systems to digital evidence-sharing to assistive listening devices—will, undoubtedly, provide an enhanced courtroom experience, working to eliminate physical, language and other barriers to justice and improving the efficiency and efficacy of court proceedings," Wilson said in a statement issued by OCA. The upgrades were funded in part with a $1.675 million grant from the Queen's County DA's federal forfeiture funds, which was used to outfit 19 of the 24 courtrooms in the Kew Gardens criminal term. OCA footed the bill for upgrades to the five remaining courtrooms.