As reported in the ABA Journal on February 21, 2013, an elderly, bedridden man used video chat technology Skype to testify against his estranged wife in court. His goal in testifying was to extend a protection order against her.
After a stroke left Emil Kogan too weak to stand, he was able to actively participate in this trial by using a lawyer provided Ipad in which the judge and other lawyers could both watch and listen to Kogan’s testimony.
Illinois’ state system has allowed judges “in compelling circumstances” to allow for “testimony in open court by contemporaneous transmission from a different location” since October, 2011. This is still an unusual and rare occurrence, however, similar examples of Skype testimonies have appeared in a few other states and Skype’s use is allowed in federal civil trials. With new Facetime technology becoming prevalent, it is only a matter of time before video chat testimonies become an even smoother process and more prevalent in the legal field.
Despite a few technical glitches in Emil Kogan’s Skype testimony, Kogan’s lawyer expressed that the use of live video technology was easier for everyone compared to the special arrangements needed to bring this bedridden man to the courtroom at an earlier proceeding.
Shapiro, Cohen and Basinger, Ltd. is committed to exploring, utilizing and mastering new forms of technology to provide our clients the greatest opportunities for ease and legal success. We have used video evidence depositions in previous trials with great outcomes. Moreover, we were one of the first firms to use the Elmo visual presenter. This device allows us to project documents and x-rays on a giant screen in the courtroom. We firmly believe that a picture is worth a thousand words and that the jury seeing it as well as hearing it bolsters their understanding.