For this unit, write an essay that examines the use of technology to secure and monitor the courthouse. Use the CSU Online Library and other resources to answer the following questions:
What is CCTV?
How can CCTV be used to create a safe and secured courthouse?
What is the history and importance of CCTV in the courtroom?
What is control access?
Why would controlling the access of where people can go in the courthouse be important to overall safety and security?
What are some examples of restricted areas in a courthouse?
In your opinion, what are the pros and cons of possibly using four-foot walled off quadrants to secure the courtroom? Those quadrants would include the following:
judge/stenographer/juror area,
defendant area,
plaintiff area, and
spectator area.
This essay should be at least two pages in length, not including the title page and reference page. The paper should include an introduction. A minimum of four sources, at least one must come from the CSU Online Library. All sources, including the textbook, must be referenced; paraphrased and quoted material must have accompanying citations in APA Style.

I will upload the source from the library

sample essay preview

Securing the Courthouse with Technology

Technology plays a vital role in securing and monitoring modern courthouses. CCTV, access control, and compartmentalization of spaces help maintain safety. This paper examines CCTV and access control specifically, including the pros and cons of sectioning off courtrooms.

CCTV, or closed-circuit television, involves a video camera network used to monitor and record specific areas (Department of Homeland Security, 2017). Courthouses implement CCTV to increase visibility throughout the building. Cameras act as extra sets of eyes, capturing activities in hallways, entrances, and courtrooms. Recorded footage can provide evidence if crimes occur. Knowing cameras are present also deters criminal behavior.

Controlled access limits who can enter certain zones in a building. Keycards, PIN pads, metal detectors, and guards manage access to restricted areas, like judges’ chambers (FEMA, 2015). This prevents unauthorized people from accessing sensitive locations. It also funnels visitors through designated entry points for screening. Understanding typical traffic patterns allows suspicious movements to be quickly detected.

Dividing courtrooms into quadrants walls off key personnel for added protection. The judge, court reporter, and jurors are isolated in one section. The plaintiff, defendant, and spectators each occupy a quadrant. This configuration enhances safety by creating distance and barriers between potentially confrontational parties (Jones, 2019). However, opponents argue compartmentalization undermines legal proceedings’ openness (Schulhofer, 2011). Enclosed spaces also impede communication between defendants and their attorneys (Morgan, 2017).

Overall, technology like CCTV and access control provide valuable security advantages. Segmenting courtrooms boosts safety as well but requires balancing openness and practical considerations. Integrating prudent technology measures allows courthouses to operate securely without compromising their purpose as open places of justice.

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