Florida Judge Perry has authorized the use of virtual reality (VR) technology in the courtroom for the first time.
The VR system, developed by the company Vantage Technologies, was used in a pretrial hearing last week in the 12th Circuit Court in Sarasota, Florida.
The VR system allowed jurors to immerse themselves in a virtual environment to better understand the case, specifically a lawsuit over a traffic accident. The VR experience allowed the jurors to “recreate” the accident by using virtual reality headsets and controllers to relive the scene.
Judge Perry was impressed with the technology and its potential to increase juror engagement and comprehension. “I think this is the future of voir dire,” he said. “I think this is a game-changer for the way we conduct voir dire and the way we educate our jurors.”
The court has also used virtual reality to present complex medical evidence in a previous case.
The technology is being considered for its potential to make jury selection and the presentation of evidence more engaging and effective, as well as to improve juror attendance and focus.
