Research Report: “Beyond the Lens: Mapping the Role of Video Evidence in Colorado Courts”

Jack Moody — Thu, 15 Jan 2026 16:14:15 +0000

Research Report: “Beyond the Lens: Mapping the Role of Video Evidence in Colorado Courts” Jack Moody Thu, 01/15/2026 - 09:14

Supported by a 2025 ACLS Sustaining Community Connections grant, the Visual Evidence Lab partnered with SCALES OKN to examine the role of video evidence in Colorado courts. The joint study analyzes a decade of criminal and civil cases (2013-2023) across Denver County Court, Denver District Court, the Colorado Court of Appeals, and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit. The findings show:

Video is increasingly common evidence, but its legal significance is inconsistently articulated.

Cell phone video raises constitutional and accountability issues in appellate courts.

Security and surveillance footage dominates civil litigation in lower courts.

As video continues to be part of the U.S. legal system, understanding its role is essential for ensuring consistency, equality, and fairness for all who seek justice.

Download the report (PDF)

The Visual Evidence Lab partnered with SCALES OKN to examine the role of video evidence in Colorado courts. The joint study analyzes a decade of criminal and civil cases (2013-2023) across Denver County Court, Denver District Court, the Colorado Court of Appeals, and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit.

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Inaugural Report: "Video’s Day in Court: Advancing Equitable Legal Usage of Visual Technologies and AI"

Regan Widergren — Thu, 06 Nov 2025 02:55:54 +0000

Inaugural Report: "Video’s Day in Court: Advancing Equitable Legal Usage of Visual Technologies and AI" Regan Widergren Wed, 11/05/2025 - 19:55

Video provides crucial evidence in criminal and civil trials. Yet courts in the United States (both state and federal) lack clear and consistent guidelines on how video should be stored, presented and used as evidence. The lack of unified guidance means that video can lead to uneven, and potentially unfair, renderings of justice. The rise of artificial intelligence (AI) and deepfakes further complicates matters, casting doubts on the credibility and authenticity of even genuine visual content.

At its launch in April 2025, the Visual Evidence Lab gathered experts from across academia, law, media forensics, journalism and human rights practice to discuss these issues and to propose ways of improving legal processes regarding the use of video and AI tools as evidence.

Drawing on the discussions, an overview of existing research and insights from 20 experts, the inaugural report identifies key challenges with video access, interpretation and AI. To address those challenges, the report recommends the establishment of a robust infrastructure for the long-term storage and retrieval of evidentiary videos, specialized training for judges, clear instructions for jurors and safeguards for admitting AI-based evidence. The report argues that systematic guidance and applications for treating video as evidence will ensure that courts recognize and uphold civil rights and human rights in the age of AI.

Download the report (PDF)

At its launch in April 2025, the Visual Evidence Lab gathered experts from across academia, law, media forensics, journalism and human rights practice to discuss these issues and to propose ways of improving legal processes regarding the use of video and AI tools as evidence.

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Publications

Research Report: “Beyond the Lens: Mapping the Role of Video Evidence in Colorado Courts”

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Inaugural Report: "Video’s Day in Court: Advancing Equitable Legal Usage of Visual Technologies and AI"

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