The main courtroom in the Greene County Courthouse recently saw some technology upgrades.

Greene County Attorney Thomas Laehn says the State Court Administration paid for and installed new speakers, microphones, security cameras and televisions for displaying exhibits in the main courtroom. He believes these technology changes are to allow for more hearings to be done with video conferencing. Laehn expresses his concern that if that happens, it could severely limit the public from attending any hearings.

“All of these hearings are meant to be open to the public and that’s important. It holds judges and prosecutors accountable for the decisions we make and for our performance in the courtroom. That becomes much more difficult when these proceedings are being done via video conference, especially if no one’s actually in the courtroom, but instead the judge may be in his or her chambers. And my concern is this may have the effect of reducing oversight over the administration of justice here in the state of Iowa.”

However, Laehn finds the upgrades to be positive in that people can hear what individuals are saying and there are clearer ways to show exhibits. He adds that the magistrate courtroom will have similar improvements made potentially later this fall.