By Stacey Tinsley/Press-Tribune
At its regular meeting on Wednesday, March 20, 2024, the Bossier Parish Police Jury heard from Judge Michael Craig about courtroom upgrades.
“Since the courthouse went online in early 2007, late 2006, we were cutting edge with technology that was put into the courthouse and all of the courtrooms. I was elected and took office in January 2009, and every lawyer who visited was envious of the technology that Bossier Parish had to offer. Since then, of course, technology advances quickly. In the last few years, we have been struggling with the growth of Bossier Parish and the increase in cases that come before us,” Craig said.
“On behalf of my fellow judges, we want to thank the Police Jury as a whole for your willingness to spend the money for the upgrades. The upgrades have come quickly, and I am here to tell you that they have been amazing,” he added.
Craig concluded by saying, “What you see in the courtroom is so much better than it ever has been. Since we went online with the upgrades, this year we have had three criminal jury trials, two of which have been murder trials, and we’ve had eight bench trials. At no time during a single one of those trials has there been a technology glitch. Everything has been flawless in its presentation.”
The Bossier Parish Courthouse underwent renovations to modernize its internal infrastructure with digital technology. The courthouse was last renovated in 2005, adding nearly 100,000 square feet of space to the building.
The courtroom upgrades include new widescreen monitors in the jury box and touchscreen monitors at each clerk’s desk. Four new cameras will be added and strategically placed throughout each courtroom to help judges conduct video court. The prosecution and defense tables will also have new inputs in the integrated adapter boxes where attorneys connect to the room. The Bossier Parish Police Jury approved the budget for the digital upgrade, which will cost $330,000 for the six courtrooms in the building.
The courtroom upgrades were completed by January 2024.
In other business during Wednesday’s meeting, Bossier Parish Police Jury members:
- Adopted a resolution proclaiming April 20, 2024, as The Arc Caddo-Bossier Day.
- Approved a Service Agreement between the Bossier Parish Police Jury and Cornerstone Government Affairs, Inc., for consulting and advocacy services, effective February 1, 2024, with the contract set to expire January 31, 2025.
- Approved the application of Cody Williams for renewal of a 2024 Bossier Parish beer/liquor license at Swamp Daddy’s, 104 Bill’s Lane, Haughton, LA, Police Jury District 1. (Approved by the Sheriff’s Office and Health Department)