Thus, aided by almost costless Internet-based video conferencing, the 21st century will be characterized by routine appearances of key participants from remote locations. The debate will be how far we ought to go. While this would reduce cost and aggravation, the nature of jury deliberations would change. We are closer to that technological possibility than most would believe. Every good lawyers knows the value of photographs, charts, diagrams, models, and other visual information.
Many people are visual learners, absorbing best the information that they see rather than hear.
Still others benefit from seeing while hearing. Not only can jurors or judges best understand evidence and arguments presented in both mediums, but it seems probable that persuasion is also enhanced. As the lab trial illustrates, a technology-augmented trial is usually replete with visual images. Evidence consists of previously scanned computer images rather than paper documents. Computer slide shows and document cameras supply core components of openings and closings, and testimony takes on new meaning as a witness electronically annotates evidence.