The Digital Generation Gap?
January 15th, 2008 Posted in Videotaping DepositionsFrom DNA to video surveillance, legal evidence itself and it’s collection procedures have given in to the power of technology, but once that evidence reaches trial using basic Powerpoint and a projector is about as “cutting edge” as it gets.
How has the modern courtroom managed to avoid significant technological change? More importantly, why does the litigation technology gap exist?
One explanation for the technology gap is the misconception jurors (specifically older jurors) would be confused by, or unfamiliar with, digital technology. 15 years ago this may have been the case, but in 2008, the argument is preposterous at best.
Admittedly, my parents can’t easily program a VCR….BUT they know how to check email, Google anything, diagnose illness using Web-MD, and watch the latest video on YouTube. A recent study showed that from 2006 to 2007 individuals over the age of 50 who visited video sharing sites (YouTube) doubled, again. Members of every generation are actively seeking out digital multimedia.
This doesn’t even taking into consideration the fact that with every passing day, jury pools increasingly consists of a greater percentage of the perceived “digital generation.”
Jury Pool Composition
Generation Y (born after 1980) 40% of Jurors
Generation X (born from 1965-1980) 40% of Jurors
Previous Generations (born before 1965) 20% of Jurors
The modern juror is used to living and learning through digital media, from surfing the internet to watching TV. Multimedia tools have been used to teach and persuade for the past 30 years. Using laptops, PDA’s and cellphones, digital media and video is utilized to inform and educate everywhere from Pre-school classrooms to base camps on Mount Everest. So why not every courtroom?
One Response to “The Digital Generation Gap?”
By Hoyt Colburn on May 22, 2008
This is an interesting breakdown of how the jury pool looks and makes it obvious that the greater preparation by digital means the more people that are influenced. Obviously the WWII generation has not been able to keep up with the digital without effort.