Nuts and Bolts: Using the New Travis County Civil and Family Courts Facility

BY GLENN A. BROWN

The long-awaited Travis County Civil and Family Courts Facility (“CFCF”) has opened, and I was lucky enough to try the first jury trial held in the new building the week of February 6, 2023.

Since the new building just opened and recent bad weather prevented anyone from visiting before the start of trial to get some hands-on experience, we learned on the fly, and I thought sharing what we learned would be helpful.

I was impressed with the new courthouse. Like any large project, there are going to be some bumps in the road and a learning curve, but everyone there went above and beyond to make sure we could try our case efficiently. Kudos to everyone who made the CFCF a reality!

The photos included here are from Judge Mangrum’s courtroom but the layout of the courts are basically the same.

There are four tables for counsel and parties.

There are four tables for counsel and parties, which provide plenty of room for boxes and support personnel. The acoustics are good; no one had to raise their voice to be heard (with one exception, noted later) and

I didn’t hear any extraneous noise (street traffic, HVAC, hallway) that would be distracting to the jury.

The main method of audio-visual presentation is via a projector above the jury box projecting onto a drop-down screen on the wall opposite the jury box. There is also a TV that mirrors the drop-down screen and a monitor for the witness stand. The sound system was good and audio playback from video depositions was clear, without echo or dead spots.

The main method of audio-visual presentation is via a projector above the jury box projecting onto a drop-down screen on the wall opposite the jury box.

The gallery consists of four rows and is right-sized for a standard size jury panel.

The gallery consists of four rows and is right-sized for a standard size jury panel. I understand there is a ceremonial courtroom that is larger and can accommodate a larger-size panel when needed. There are no microphones above the gallery so there were times when the court reporter had a difficult time hearing the panel members during jury selection.

The jury box is large enough to seat two or more alternate jurors.

The first row of the gallery is inside the bar and can also be used for extra seating/storage during trial.

The jury box is large enough to seat two or more alternate jurors.

Also, the end wall panel of the jury box can be swung open.

The courtroom is well lit and is, in fact, very bright, which can wash out the projector. Luckily, the judge has fingertip control of the lights and can easily adjust continued on page 28 it as needed. The TV next to the drop-down screen swivels and although it is smaller than the dropdown screen, it can be easier to see from the jury box.

Accessing the A/V system is straightforward. Connect your device through the A/V podium and select the input using the Crestron touch screen or (even better) connect directly from counsel table. Note that the only way to connect at the podium or counsel table is via HDMI.

Each counsel table has two connection boxes.

Each counsel table has two connection boxes. The box on the right is only for power via standard 3-prong power cords. The box on the left has a HDMI port and a silver button. Attach your computer via HDMI and when you press the silver button, the A/V system will start broadcasting your connection. There are no USB connections at counsel table. However, in the hallway outside the courtroom are very nice seating areas and tables with USB-A connections to power up devices.

Note that if anyone else pushes their silver button while you are broadcasting, it will stop your broadcast and start theirs.

A few things to note:

First, if anyone else pushes their silver button while you are broadcasting, it will stop your broadcast and start theirs.

Second, although pushing your silver button will start your broadcast, pushing it again won’t stop it. The easiest way I found to stop broadcasting was to just turn around and push the silver button on the counsel table behind you. As long as nothing is connected to the HDMI port of the table behind you, the projector will go black. Of course, the judge can control what is being broadcast, too.

The podium can connect in two places (the black circles on the floor).

Note to Apple users: If you use a Mac or AppleTV to broadcast, you need to make sure the courtroom is set up to broadcast using your equipment. Apparently, there is a special permission that must be set to use Apple products. If you connect to the court’s system and get nothing but a big red screen, you need to let IT services know. My understanding from Tobin McDowell with the IT department is that each courtroom must be set up to use Apple products, although this issue may have been resolved by now. The anteroom into the courtroom has two separate spaces side by side that are large enough to meet with your clients.

If anyone has questions, contact me at glenn@lmablaw.com.