Virtual Justice: Online Courts During COVID-19

As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, courts at all levels, from local trial courts to the Supreme Court of the United States, have conducted legal proceedings using teleconferencing remote technology. This report outlines how remote hearings and trials have the potential to cause significant harm to perceived and actual fairness, as well as to individual rights to privacy. In particular, this report discusses how courts must account for the digital divide, security vulnerabilities, potential fraud, and the risk of manipulated audio or video in evaluating online courts. Furthermore, this report also lists best practices courts should follow In order to prevent these possible dangers.