Virtual reality enters the courtroom: a glimpse into the future of justice
4 mins read

Virtual reality enters the courtroom: a glimpse into the future of justice


In an unprecedented move, Broward County Circuit Court Judge Andrew Siegel recently used virtual reality (VR) technology during a standing hearing. On December 14, 2024, he wore an Oculus Quest 2 VR headset to experience a defense expert’s reconstruction of the crime scene. The case involved Miguel Albisu, a wedding venue owner, charged with aggravated assault. By immersing himself in the VR simulation, the judge was able to view the crime scene from the defendant’s perspective, providing a unique perspective on the incident.

This moment, a first for the American legal system, sparked discussions about the future of legal proceedings and the ethical considerations of adopting such technology.

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Can virtual reality help courts see the big picture?

The introduction of virtual reality into courtrooms, alongside the abundance of AI innovations in recent years, represents a transformative approach to the presentation of evidence. This technology allows judges and juries to access a crime scene or incident, providing an immersive understanding that goes far beyond the traditional presentation of evidence. By entering a virtual environment, legal professionals can better understand complex scenarios, which can potentially lead to more accurate and informed decisions.

But this innovation does not come without challenges. Questions about the impact virtual reality could have on the legal process are at the forefront. Could immersing judges in a virtual scene introduce emotional bias? How can we ensure that these recreations are both accurate and fair? Ensuring impartiality alongside innovation will be crucial to making VR a reliable tool in the justice system.

Person wearing a VR headset

Challenges and concerns

If virtual reality is very promising for judicial applications, it also raises several questions. Ensuring the accuracy and authenticity of virtual recreations will be a major challenge, as courts will need to ensure that these simulations are reliable and impartial. This might require bringing in specialists to verify the data, which would add both cost and complexity.

Cost is another barrier, with VR setups costing anywhere from several thousand dollars to hundreds of thousands of dollars, potentially limiting access to smaller courts and under-resourced jurisdictions. Additionally, there are significant cybersecurity and privacy risks as the data these simulations rely on could be vulnerable to cyberattacks. And then there’s the human element: Virtually experiencing a crime scene could elicit strong emotional reactions, potentially interfering with the juror’s ability to remain objective.

What VR means for the future of legal professionals

Virtual reality has the potential to completely transform the way legal professionals handle cases. From virtual crime scene tours to interactive reconstructions, virtual reality can provide a level of detail and immersion that traditional evidence cannot match. But this shift will require significant changes. Courts must rethink existing processes, establish clear rules for how VR evidence can be used, and invest in appropriate training for judges, attorneys, and staff. Balancing the benefits of immersive technology with the risks of bias or manipulation will be critical to ensuring fairness and accuracy in legal proceedings.

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