Under the leadership of Marshall Superior Court #2 Judge Dean A. Colvin and with the support and cooperation of the Marshall County Sheriff Jon VanVactor, the County Commissioners, the County Council, the IT Department, Marshall Circuit Court Judge Curtis D. Palmer and Marshall Superior Court #1 Judge Robert O. Bowen, Marshall County launched its new video conferencing technology on April 19, 2010. Judge Colvin and Sheriff VanVactor demonstrated how easily and clearly court hearings would take place without having to transport defendants to the courthouse. The county anticipates significant savings in the amount it spends in securing the transfer of defendants who have to be brought to the courthouse for initial hearings and other short proceedings. The new technology will also enable the Marshall County courts to conduct hearings with state correctional facilities, and the officials are proceeding with the necessary steps to accomplish this connection. Laurie Baker, Marshall County Court Administrator, says: “We absolutely love using the video conferencing, what a great thing for the Court and the Sheriff’s Department.”
In addition, the new technology provides the Marshall County courts with enhanced evidence presentation through the use of digital recovery and reproduction. The system also provides functionality which allows courts to use video recording in all court proceedings, if a court so desires. The Marshall County system is consistent with Indiana Supreme Court Rules that provide for the use of video conferencing in certain court proceedings. Lilia Judson, Executive Director of the Division of State Court Administration, and Mary DePrez, Director and Counsel of Trial Court Technology (JTAC), were on hand for the presentation and shared their enthusiasm for the new system with the Marshall County officials and staff.