The Judicial Model for the New Millennium...is now in place in York County . When the building plans for the York County Judicial Center were being developed, all involved knew exactly what they needed: to maximize courtroom efficiency while saving both time and money and minimize the downtime associated with temporary equipment brought in by legal teams on a case-by-case basis. The challenge facing the court was how best to accomplish this; especially in times of decreasing budgets and increasing caseloads.

The verdict reached by the Judicial Center Administrators was to: automate the process of scheduling and conducting cases, use technology to support the delivery of evidence in the courtroom, find new ways to capture needed information from each case as it is heard, and streamline the process of information availability to all participants of the legal proceedings. The Judicial Center worked with a team of consultants to determine the latest developments in technology available to them. Then the bids were received and reviewed, Sage Technology Solutions Inc. was determined to be best able to deliver their design at the least cost and, as they soon discovered, at the highest added value.

SAGE Delivers:

George Meshew, Director of Facilities Management, was tasked to oversee the installation of the new technologies in the courtrooms. During both the design and implementation stages of the project, Mr. Meshew was instrumental in ensuring the technologies were relevant and practical to the Judicial setting. The new technologies were, at first, somewhat overwhelming to the Judges who presided over the traditional courtrooms at the old Judicial Center facilities. Considering they are responsible for all happenings within the courtroom and need to have complete control of every aspect of its operation, the systems needed to be quickly and effortlessly executed during the fast-paced activity of the justice system. This is when the experts at SAGE Technology Solutions Inc. were called upon to support Mr. Meshew and the Judges in implementing these new technologies into the daily operation of the courtrooms. SAGE worked closely with members of the bench to develop a custom graphical user interface (GUI) for the seamless integration of the new Audio/Visual Technology into the daily flow of the court. With this custom interface, the Judges were able to quickly master the new technologies and incorporate them into the court's routine.

SAGE also installed AMX MeetingManager® Software that allows court administrators to check system status, monitor projector bulb life, and turn systems on and off remotely; all while protecting the system from unauthorized users through a password-controlled, browser-based log-in capability that can be accessed remotely via a virtual private network (VPN) when needed.

Cutting Edge Audio/Visual Technology:

At the October 2004 Grand Opening of the new Judicial Center the highlight was the seamless technology integration and the power this new technology brought to the courtrooms. Most impressive to the attendees was that the Judges themselves were demonstrating the new capabilities in the courtrooms; as they were the individuals most comfortable with the new systems' operations. SAGE, with input from the Judges, made the technology not just an additional tool, but rather used the new technology to complement the already efficient operation of the courtrooms.

Mr. Meshew remarked, "Not only has this new courtroom technology made our courts more efficient and capable, SAGE made recommendations that increased our capabilities and saved us thousands of dollars in the process."

Solutions Provided by SAGE:

Twelve New Courtrooms with Audio/Visual capabilities and video teleconferencing to speed testimony Linked Video Conferencing from the Courtrooms to holding cells to inform and protect citizens and staff Plasma Screen Directional and Informational Signage in the lobbies to alert and inform New Voice/Data Structured Cabling throughout the Courthouse and Offices Installed Audio Systems in the Jury Assembly Room for juror selection and interviewing Installed Television Distribution System throughout the Courthouse Equipped four Hearing Rooms with new audio systems

Equipment Highlights:

AMX Touch Panel Control with Custom User Interface Custom Multi-zone Audio using Polycom & Architectural Acoustic Components Side Bar Sound Masking Feature Drop-down Sanyo Video Projectors & Screens KSI Custom Video Evidence Podiums Computer, Elmo Document Camera, DVD & VCR Display Capabilities TeamBoard Digital Whiteboard Input Polycom Video/Audio Conferencing with Echo Cancellation Sennheiser ADA Assisted Listening Systems Custom Training CD-Rom On-Site Training Session for Court Personnel