Trial presentations using computers are fairly common now but wouldn't it be easier if you could use an iPad instead of dragging around your laptop and get the same functionality?
Enter the TrialDirector app for iPad released at the beginning of October. Maybe you already have the TrialDirector app for your iPhone or the desktop version of the software? If that's true and you don't already have the app for iPad, whatare you waiting for?
If you haven't used TrialDirector before but you find yourself considered computer-directed presentations in court, then you might want to consider this an early birthday present from all of us at FindLaw.
The whole premise of the TrialDirector products is that you can make a full trial presentation complete with documents, demonstrative evidence, and lists of all the exhibits in a given case.
This isn't the first iPad trial presentation app but it is a powerful example of the category. By connecting your iPad to an external display device you can use the free app for your court presentation rather than carrying a laptop.
You can also separately control the iPad app and the external display so you don't show the jury all your information while you're trying to find the next piece of evidence. Plus you have all the functionality of a tablet, allowing you to mark up evidence if necessary.
The app is free and it has a lot of its own functionality for trial preparation and evidence organization. But it also has something other similar apps don't.
TrialDirector for iPad can also connect to TrialDirector for Windows if you own the software (decidedly not free) which gives you much more capability than it possible from an iPad alone. If you choose not to pay for the software, the free app is still a very useful tool.
That's not to say there isn't room for improvement. As a new app there are some issues with how the highlighting looks and how the zoom function operates. But those are pretty minimal compared to what you get.
If you're on the fence about the app, there's no reason not to try it. The price is right and there's a good chance it will be your new go-to tool for court.
Related Resources:
- TrialDirector for iPad (Trial Technology Blog)
- Jury Selection iPad Apps Take Voir Dire to a New Level (FindLaw's Technologist)
- Top 5 Apps for When You're Bored at the Courthouse (FindLaw's Technologist)
