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The following is general information for users of the courtroom audio system. Should you want to take advantage of any of the enhanced features, e.g., headphones for a hearing-impaired client, please advise the courtroom deputy prior to the date of the proceeding.

General Information

• Microphones at the judge's bench, witness stand, and lecturn (handheld) are monitored by security. The microphone at the sidebar is connected only to the court reporter's headphones and to the courtroom tape recorder.
• Care should be taken when conferring at counsel table. The microphones are sensitive; conversations may be overheard. To be absolutely certain no conversations are carried over the system or recorded, the bar on the microphone base has a "push to mute" button and it should be held down while conversing.
• In order to make a clear record when a proceeding is being taped (usually preliminary criminal proceedings such as arraignments and bail hearings but also other hearings in the absence of a court reporter), the microphone should be placed in front of the person speaking (about 18" away) not, for example, just centered on the table. Although sensitive, each microphone unit has a sensor that compares the intensity of noise to background sound and makes a decision about the "noise," that is, is it distinct enough to be considered a "speaker" or is it background noise. Again, remember to compress the "push to mute" button during taped proceedings to assure that no privileged conversations are accidentally taped.
• Witnesses should be directed to speak into the microphone, again positioning themselves about 18" away.

Other Features

The front plate has four functions:

	Hum		Audio
	Atty Microphone Jack		Audio

1. The two jacks on the right are for audio/video input (i.e., surveillance tape, CD). (Use "headphone out" or similar jack on the tape machine so you can control volume.) There is no need for an elaborate recorder/player; an inexpensive one works just fine.
2. On the left rear is a switch to help eliminate interference hum. This is a "rocker" switch, i.e., one position or the other. If you experience humming while using the audio jacks, press the button to the opposite position.
3. On the left front is the outlet for the counsel table microphone.

• Handheld Microphone: The battery is good for only about two hours of continuous use, so be sure to turn it off when you are done. The microphone as practically unlimited range (e.g., another floor), so do not take it out of the courtroom. It may be inserted into the gooseneck of the lecturn, carried around by counsel, or given to a witness who may be doing a demonstration, for example, away from the witness box.
• Headphones: The headphones are multipurpose. They are used for interpretation, hearing assistance, or, for example, for jurors and other court participants to enhance the sound of an inferior-quality surveillance tape. The loop goes under the chin, not over the head. Note the locations of the infrared emitter boxes on the walls of the courtroom. There must be an unobstructed path from the headphone to the emitter (e.g. back not turned; not behind someone who blocks emitter path). Keep the receiver (bottom of loop) exposed. The system may only be used for one purpose at a time - only one interpreter (i.e., for a witness or for defendant), or either for hearing-assisted witness/juror or interpreter.
• Hearing-Assisted System: Use a headphone to take advantage of this feature. The headphone, set at Channel 5, will capture and enhance the sound that is broadcast over the PA system.
• "Unruly" Prisoner: The system is set up so that a prisoner who must be removed from the courtroom may hear the proceedings from a secure room. Future plans also include video access.