Fall 2006

TECHNOLOGY

Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi) Makes Its Way to the Courts

The Department of Technology is working to add Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi) systems to courthouses so that visitors can use their personal computers to go online.

Officials will initially target public areas — law libraries, jury areas and rooms where attorneys, litigants and other courthouse users gather. Under a pilot program, Wi-Fi has been installed in a courthouse in Buffalo, Binghamton and White Plains, as well as in Bronx Housing Court. Adding Wi-Fi to the Westchester County Courthouse annex also corrected a public safety issue. Previously, cell phones and court officers’ police radios did not work in the building; with Wi-Fi, officers can now communicate among themselves. By the end of the fiscal year, officials hope to make significant progress in bringing Wi-Fi to additional New York City courthouses and at least one district outside the city.

The Wi-Fi system benefits many users, said Chip Mount, Director of Court Research and Technology. “One is the public, including jurors. Two is the courthouse user - attorneys, litigants, court-related agencies - and three is our court employees. Ultimately, Wi-Fi will enable court personnel to access computers and IP phones in areas such as the lobby where network wires do not reach.”

Fall 2006
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Contents Second “Mega-Courthouse” Opens Justice Court Reforms Street Corners Renamed for Court Officers School in New Court Complex Mental Health Courts Domestic Violence Awareness Month Judge Smith Retires Judge Rosenblatt Retires Virtual Library Services Court Programs Broadcast Online Wi-Fi in the Courts Deputy Chief Support Magistrate Court Construction Update Marian Wright Edelman Addresses Conference Historic Courthouses and Trials Did You Know? Judicial Institute (JI) Program Highlights JI Legal Updates