Bossier Parish courtrooms upgrades

The Bossier Parish Courthouse is undergoing 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. However, due to several technical issues, officials say it was time to make a change.

Jim Firth, Purchasing Agent for the Police Jury, said that upgrading the courtroom technology was necessary due to the different types of media used in the courtrooms. He said the outdated technology caused difficulties in conducting court business. "We have encountered some compatibility issues in the courtroom. People bring in various types of technology and media, which has caused some difficulties. We have had to be creative in finding solutions to get the audio and video to play properly in the room," said Firth.

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 courtrooms will be upgraded and completed by January 2024.