Evolving Together: Bringing Technology to the Courtroom
Empire announces historic change to trial procedures
Over the past two years, there have been times when Zoom mock trial drove us crazy, right? Like, when a judge went missing from your Zoom call for what felt like an eternity. Or when a witness’s Zoom lagged during a cross, so you basically talked over each other for 7 minutes.
But weren’t there other times when you felt a different way? Like, when you went to impeach a witness and could quickly skip to the right line of their witness statement and circle that line for your judges to see. (yay Zoom annotation feature) Or when you could reference a PowerPoint presentation during your expert direct to help translate their “expertness” to English.
In those times, you thought to yourself: hey, Zoom isn’t all that bad; it’s actually kind of cool.
As we evolve together this season, we’ve realized that we can’t simply go back to the way things were in 2019. For many of us, the way that we work and live has changed… and so has the way that we mock. We’ve become accustomed to the perks afforded to us by Empire Online and online mock trial, in general.
So, why should we have to give them up?
At Empire, we’re excited to announce that we’re bringing our trial procedures into the 21st century. We’re bringing the best of Empire Online to the Empire Classic courtroom. Harnessing the power of Zoom, we’re beta testing a new in-person experience in 2022.
Keep reading to find out what that entails.
Electronic Exhibits + Demonstratives
Any electronic exhibit included in the case file (spoiler alert: you’ll find some) may be displayed or played in the courtroom.
Hate dragging that oversized poster-board on a plane or bus? Now, you don't have to (though you’re still welcome to, if you like), because teams may now create electronic demonstratives (think powerpoint presentations, etc.)! Electronic demonstratives will be subject to rules governing the substance of demonstratives, similar to what you've seen in the past.
However, any electronic exhibit or demonstrative may only be displayed using Empire’s provided system. What is that system, you may ask…?
Zoom
Yes, good ole’ Zoom.
Each of our courtrooms will be assigned its own Zoom meeting room link, à la Empire Online.
Each of our judges will have an Empire provided Chromebook or laptop, à la Empire Chicago 2021, along with a pair of headphones.
Note: We had always planned to provide laptops to judges. They’ll be scoring the trial using the PROcess digital ballot.
Each team will bring one laptop or tablet (“device 1”) to counsel table to connect to their courtroom’s Zoom meeting room link, which will be available through PROcess.
Note: A team may only interact with device 1, if they’re using it to display / play a demonstrative or exhibit or to observe their opponent’s demonstrative or exhibit.
To display or play an exhibit, each team will simply screenshare their demonstrative or exhibit, with sound if necessary. Witness stands will be equipped with an Empire-provided laptop–connected to the courtroom’s Zoom meeting room–that a witness may use to reference an exhibit or demonstrative.
This plan wouldn’t be possible with our awesome Blue Shirts! Each courtroom will be assigned a Blue Shirt to assist with the technology.
Why Do We Love This Plan?
Zoom has become the world’s universal second language. We all know how to speak it. Heck, even my dad, who still has an AOL email address, knows how to use it.
We’ve been training our teams, judges, and volunteers in how to use this software for two years now. This is the next logical step in that process.
Will things be perfect? They never are. Tech glitches are inevitable. But, we’ll have a Blue Shirt + Blue Shirt Lead to support each courtroom. We’ll also ask very little of our judges on the tech side, as their ballot and Zoom meeting room will be open when they enter the courtroom.
Device #2: Laptop or Tablet at Counsel Table
We want to make it easier for you to reference case materials, update examinations/speeches, and take notes during trial.
It is hard for us to believe that, in many ways, our trial procedures had been nearly identical to those that existed at Empire I, which took place a week before iPhones existed and at a time when laptops were certainly less prevalent. So much has changed since then..
As such, we’re allowing each team to bring a second device (“device 2”) to counsel table to provide assistance during trial! This device may not be connected to the internet.
Policing Rule Fidelity
We’re sure that this news will be met with excitement, but also some anxiety. Some may wonder, how can we ensure that a team is not using their device to communicate with their coach? (for example)
In response, we’ll say a few things:
First, Empire Online only worked because we trusted our students and coaches to abide by our rules. I’m proud to say that our teams rose to the occasion. Allegations of improper communication were simply not an issue for us.
Second, device 1, that is connected to the internet, will only be used for Zoom screen sharing. In other words, if a team switches to a non-Zoom application, it will be fairly obvious to the Blue Shirt and the other team / spectators.
Third, device 2 is not connected to the internet. So, any activity that involves use of a browser will also be fairly noticeable.
Finally, and this isn’t fun to write, there will be extremely harsh, codified penalties assessed to anyone that violates the electronic device rules. But we know they won’t be needed: and I mean that. They just exist to put everyone’s minds at ease.
Last year, we live streamed in-person trials for the first time. This year, we’re raising the bar by bringing A/V to the courtroom.
If you’re a part of the 2022 Empire season, are you excited?!
If you aren’t… well, don’t you want to join us? 😇 You can still submit an application to join our waitlist for Baltimore and Chicago, or attend Eclipse!
Let’s get the conversation started: if you have questions, comments, concerns, or are just excited about our new electronics rules, drop a comment on our social media.
Is it fall yet? Because we can’t wait.
