Earmark - To improve the functioning of the criminal justice system and enforce state and local laws

Agency:		Department of Justice
Bureau:		Office of Justice Programs
Account:		State and local law enforcement assistance (15-0404)
Certifying Official:		Deputy Director, OBMS
Contact Information:		http://WWW.USDOJ.GOV 202-514-2007

To improve the functioning of the criminal justice system and enforce state and local laws - St. Clairsville, OH.

1 recipient will receive $197,000. This is a first-time earmark.

Year Enacted: 2005

Code: 173

Description: The courtrooms of the Belmont County Court of Common Pleas has not been updated or modernized since the early 1970s. Although the Court offices and the Clerk of Courts office automated in 1995, this capability was not extended to the courtrooms themselves. This lack of modernization has added increased costs to the local budget through transportation costs and outside litigation support services. Today's technology would allow for greater trial efficiency through the use of digital recording, digital evidence presentation, and real-time court stenography. The goal of this project is to update and modernize the usefulness of the courtrooms of the Belmont County Court of Common Pleas using: videoconferencing/remote video arraignment; a digital court recording system; real-time court reporting equipment; and, digital evidence presentation equipment. The videoconferencing/remote video arraignment will accommodate the court's desire to separate criminal defendants from victims and witnesses, enhance the safety of participants in court proceedings, and provide an estimated $100,000 savings by eliminating the cost of inmate transport to the courthouse. The digital court recording system will store, manage, replicate, and disseminate digital audio and video files, enhancing uniform communication among all participants during court proceedings. The real-time reporting equipment will provide courtroom participants immediate access to the court record through the translation of text. The digital evidence presentation equipment serves as the technology control center of the courtroom. It will allow for clear and simultaneous review of evidence for an up-to-date courtroom presentation of documents, 3D evidence, x-rays, negatives, and computer-based evidence.

Beneficiary/Recipient	Amount ($K)	Program	Type	Address
Belmont County (98437593)	$197		Locality	Belmont County Courthouse 101 West Main Street St. Clairsville, OH

Citation

Source: Appropriations Report Language - Conference

Reference: Pub. L. No. 108-447

Method: User entered excerpt

Citation Excerpt: $200,000 for St. Clairsville, OH, for courtroom equipment;

Last Modified: 16-Apr-2007