Do You Need a Trial Technician on Your Team? Here’s How to Decide

Trials today rely heavily on digital evidence. Video depositions, electronic exhibits, demonstratives, timelines, and real-time presentation systems are now common in courtrooms of all sizes. With that reliance comes an important strategic decision for litigation teams:

Do you need a dedicated trial technician, or can your team manage presentation and technology internally?

The answer depends on case complexity, evidentiary volume, and risk tolerance—not just the presence of technology itself.

What a Trial Technician Actually Does

A trial technician is responsible for the technical execution and management of trial presentation, ensuring that evidence is displayed accurately, efficiently, and without distraction. The role typically includes:

• Managing digital exhibits and presentation databases
• Displaying documents, photographs, and demonstratives in real time
• Playing video depositions and synchronized transcripts
• Handling impeachment clips with speed and precision
• Managing courtroom monitors, projectors, and audio feeds
• Troubleshooting technical issues discreetly as they arise
• Maintaining redundant systems and backups

In trials that include remote or hybrid components, the technician may also assist with:

• Coordinating remote witness connections
• Verifying audio and video quality before testimony
• Monitoring live feeds to ensure consistency and reliability

These responsibilities are handled quietly in the background so attorneys can remain focused on advocacy rather than operations.

When the Need for a Trial Technician Increases

Not every case requires the same level of technical support. The need for a trial technician increases when:

• The number of exhibits is substantial
• Video depositions will be played live
• Expert testimony involves technical or visual evidence
• Demonstratives are central to the case theory
• Multiple attorneys will present evidence
• The courtroom technology is unfamiliar

Each added variable increases the likelihood that presentation duties will distract from legal strategy if handled internally.

Speed, Precision, and Control in the Courtroom

Trials move quickly, and courts expect efficiency. A trial technician allows evidence to be:

• Retrieved instantly
• Displayed clearly and consistently
• Removed or replaced without delay
• Replayed accurately when requested

This level of control is difficult to achieve when attorneys or paralegals are also responsible for operating presentation systems during live testimony.

Managing Risk and Avoiding Disruption

Courtroom technology is reliable—until it isn’t. Files fail to open. Audio drops. Displays go dark.

A trial technician reduces risk by:

• Testing equipment in advance
• Understanding courtroom-specific systems
• Maintaining backup files and hardware
• Resolving problems quickly and discreetly

Without dedicated support, even minor technical issues can become visible distractions that interrupt momentum and credibility.

Attorney Focus Matters

During trial, attorneys must listen carefully, observe witnesses, read the jury, and respond to testimony in real time. Dividing that attention to manage technology creates unnecessary strain.

A trial technician allows attorneys to:

• Stay engaged with testimony
• Adjust strategy on the fly
• Handle objections confidently
• Maintain courtroom presence

The technician’s role is to ensure that technology supports advocacy instead of competing with it.

Common Misconceptions

“Our Paralegal Can Handle Presentation”

Paralegals are essential members of the trial team, but trial presentation is a full-time, moment-to-moment responsibility. Combining roles increases the chance of errors during critical moments.

“We’re Only Using a Few Exhibits”

Even limited exhibits can become complicated when:

• A judge requests an exhibit unexpectedly
• A witness references something out of sequence
• Impeachment becomes necessary

Trials rarely follow a perfect script.

Trial Technicians as a Strategic Safeguard

Beyond efficiency, trial technicians function as a form of risk management. They help ensure:

• Evidence is presented accurately
• Transitions remain smooth
• The record is clean and defensible
• Courtroom technology does not undermine credibility

In cases where outcomes matter, preventing problems is often more valuable than fixing them.

A Practical Decision Framework

Ask yourself:

1. How much digital evidence will we present?
2. Do we need fast, controlled access to exhibits?
3. Can attorneys remain fully focused if they operate technology?
4. What happens if something fails mid-testimony?
5. How visible would technical issues be to the jury?

If these questions raise concern, a trial technician is likely a worthwhile addition.

Final Thought

Trial technicians do not replace legal skill or advocacy. They protect it.

By managing the technical side of evidence presentation—and supporting modern courtroom realities such as digital exhibits and occasional remote participation—they allow attorneys to present their case with clarity, confidence, and control.

Deciding whether to include one on your team ultimately comes down to preparation, risk tolerance, and how much you want technology to help your case rather than distract from it.