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May 10, 2000
Court ITVBY SARA SYVERSON Journal Staff Writer NEW ULM -- A newly installed interactive television system (ITV) could save the Brown County District Court time and money in the near future. Six county staff people were trained in Tuesday afternoon on the new ITV system by Acoustic Communications personnel. "It's just fantastic," said Brown County Court Administrator Judy Besemer, "It is certainly going to be a lot more efficient use of judge time for us; otherwise we'd have to have a judge present." The equipment will allow Brown County to utilize the time and services of other judges from other counties who already have ITV equipment. Other counties in the Fifth Judicial District use ITV equipment and facilities. They are Pipestone, Murray, Nobles Lincoln counties. "We will be able to contact these counties to see if they can schedule interactive video hearings," said Besemer. The video conference equipment is up and working in the lower level courtroom of the courthouse. It consists of a large screen television, microphones, video camera, document camera, and remote controls. The ITV system will have "automatic voice tracking" where the main camera follows the sound of a voice. A "snapshot button" can provide clarification of court documents. Various camera positions in the court room can be pre-set prior to the video conferences. The first court hearing using ITV is scheduled next week with Judge Christensen of Pipestone County, Besemer said. Beginning June 5 the Brown County court administration will have Christensen for hearings twice per week for one-hour long sessions each day. Defendant must agree to use of the ITV system before their appearance on it, Besemer said. Brown County advanced on the list of counties to receive an ITV system because it lost its resident judge. Former Brown County Fifth Judicial District Judge Terri Stoneburner was recently sworn in to the Minnesota Court of Appeals. The cost of the ITV system is being provided by the district office, Besemer said. "Three counties have helped Brown County get the (ITV) equipment because the 5th Judicial District did not have the funding to get the equipment right now," said Besemer, "I think once it's here we'll be able to find more uses for it all the time." The new ITV system may also be used by regional treatment centers, the Brown County Sheriff, Brown County jail system and also as a means of communication for various training sessions, Besemer said. Brown County Jail Administrator Paul Wieland said the department may be able to do first appearances or bail settings by using the new ITV system. "If we can do inmate first appearances over ITV, it will save us transport time," said Wieland, "The courts and the judges will decide who will be able to appear over ITV. It will be interesting that way 'til October with the judge gone."
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