Rule 6.190.Evidence Submitted in an Electronic Format
Current through August 1, 2026 · Last verified September 12, 2026
Full Text of Rule 6.190
Plain-English Summary
Compatibility comes first. Any exhibit or testimony to be presented in an electronic format must be compatible with the court's electronic equipment, and the party intending to offer it must make sure of that before the trial or hearing. The checking is an advance task, not something to discover at the podium with a jury waiting.
Cost follows use. A party is responsible for any cost the court incurs as a result of that party's use of the court's electronic equipment, and for repairing the court's equipment if the party's use damages it. That is a reason to test rather than to improvise with cables and adapters.
Parties may bring their own equipment instead. The trade-off is spelled out: a party using its own equipment may need to make that equipment available to the court, to opposing parties, and to the jury. Your own laptop can end up in other people's hands, so plan what is on it.
Technical support is the party's job in every direction. The rule makes it the party's responsibility to provide any technical support needed to present its evidence, to make that evidence compatible with the court's equipment, and to run the party's own equipment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I play a video exhibit on the court's equipment?
Yes, if it is compatible. The rule requires any exhibit or testimony presented in an electronic format to be compatible with the court's electronic equipment, and it puts the job of confirming that before trial on the offering party.
Can I bring my own laptop and projector?
Yes. Parties may use their own equipment to present electronic evidence. Be aware that a party using its own equipment may need to make it available to the court, to the opposing parties, and to the jury.
Who pays if the court's equipment is damaged?
The party whose use caused it. The rule makes a party responsible for any cost the court incurs as a result of that party's use of the equipment, and for repairing the equipment when the party's use damages it.
Who provides technical support at trial?
The party offering the evidence. That covers presenting the evidence, making it compatible with the court's equipment, and operating the party's own equipment.
When should I test the format?
Before the trial or hearing. The rule says a party intending to offer electronic evidence must make sure it is in a compatible format before the trial or hearing, which is a deadline expressed as a stage rather than a date.