Official 2008 National High School Mock Trial Championship

New Castle County Courthouse

The New Castle County Courthouse is located in Wilmington, Delaware.

The courthouse is a new multi-million dollar building located on five acres in the Christina Gateway section of the City of Wilmington.

The courtroom's design assures that all courtroom participants benefit from the use of its hi-tech equipment.

Although the hi-tech equipment is not used during the High School Mock Trial Championship, the courtrooms are enhanced with the latest courtroom presentation equipment.

Documents and video can be viewed on the witness' monitor, counsel table monitors, podium monitor, judge's monitor, jury monitors, and on plasma screens located behind the witness stand and on the side wall. Notes can be made directly on the SmartBoard® projection system, and viewed on all courtroom displays. The SmartBoard® projection system enables users to save, print, and distribute all of the documents.

Technology-ready counsel tables provide quick-connect capability for data, realtime transcription and video. Counsel use portable computer equipment to plug discreetly into concealed ports in floor boxes to access the electronics in the courtroom.

Traditional video and audio equipment such as cassette, video, and DVD recorders and playback equipment with handheld RF remote and laser pointer, and a digital visual presenter or ELMO, are also available for counsel. The courtroom is enhanced by fully integrated video and audio conferencing systems. The equipment can be used for remote witness testimony, pretrial conferences, or other court proceedings. The use of this technology is easily controlled from multiple touch panel controllers at the judge's bench and the lectern.

In addition to the large presentation screen, the courtroom's jury box contains with eight flat panel monitors for the benefit of jurors. The installed courtroom configuration permits laptop computer output to be viewed on the projection system and jury monitors.

Both judge and court clerk have access to master courtroom controls. The controllers enable the judge, counsel, or clerk to route video and computer input and output as well as DVD, videotape or cassette output, and visual presenter output (ELMO) to the SmartBoard® projection system. The master controllers also govern the volume controls and master mute switch for all room microphones and audio sources.

Courthouse Security

NOTE ON COURTHOUSE SECURITY:

Plan to arrive at the Courthouse between 7:45 A.M. and 8:15 A.M. on both days of competition.

For security purposes, persons entering the Courthouse will have to pass through a metal detector before being allowed access to the building.

Everyone should leave ALL cell phones, BlackBerries, pagers, pocketknives, nail-clippers, large metal accessories, etc. in the hotel room or at home.

CELL PHONES ARE NOT PERMITTED IN THE COURTHOUSE.

These items slow down the entry process into the Courthouse and could cause unnecessary delays in the schedule.

Parking

There is a Colonial Parking Garage conveniently located alongside the New Castle County Courthouse.

Colonial Parking Garage Hours & Fees

Friday, May 9—the garage will be open from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. and will cost $10 per day.

Saturday, May 10—the garage will be open from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. and will cost $3 per day.