Serving as a pilot program in New York as a “Digital Jury Trial Courtroom,” it is one of 12 like it on Staten Island planned for technology improvements. In addition to other upgrades across several courthouses on Staten Island as part of a Court Modernization Initiative.
The ribbon-cutting ceremony was hosted by Richmond County Supreme Court Administrative Judge Raymond L. Rodriguez, who has helped lead the efforts on Staten Island.
“With the unveiling of these new digital courtrooms, we move beyond outdated systems and step boldly into a future where justice is more accessible, efficient and inclusive,” said Rodriguez, a native Staten Islander.
“This transformation wouldn’t be possible without the unwavering commitment of our collaborative partners, whose vision and dedication helped turn aspiration into action.”
The vision and design behind the advancements was brought to life by Division of Court Modernization Director Sheng Guo, who also addressed a packed house Wednesday.
“This is what a courtroom should look like,” said Guo, who went on to both commend and rib Rodriguez about the judge’s dedication to the project.
“Every time my phone rang, I said, ‘it must be Judge Rodriguez,’” joked Guo. “He knows how the court runs.”
Borough-wide improvements
Courtroom 410 “reflects the vision” of the court system’s Court Modernization Action Committee, an advisory group on which Rodriguez presently sits, according to a press announcement by the New York State Unified Court System.
Improvements across the 12 jury trial courtrooms on Staten Island are set to include:
Upgrades planned at multiple court facilities on Staten Island include:
Funding secured by unique partnership
In helping to fund the project, more than $1 million was secured by several elected leaders, including District Attorney Michael E. McMahon; Borough President Vito Fossella; New York City Council Member Kamillah Hanks, a Democrat who represents the North Shore; State Sen. Jessica Scarcella-Spanton, a Democrat who represents the North Shore and South Brooklyn; Assemblyman Charles D. Fall, a Democrat who represents the North Shore.
Those funds were matched by the New York State Judiciary.
At the ribbon-cutting ceremony Wednesday, Chief Administrative Judge Joseph A. Zayas lauded the unique partnership,
“It’s a partnership that I hope will become a model for courtroom modernization across the state,” said Zayas.
McMahon and Fossella worked together in securing the largest chunk of funding at a combined $650,000.
“For far too long, outdated systems and infrastructure have hampered our borough’s courthouses,” said McMahon, who commended the “first of its kind modernization effort in New York state to Staten Island’s courtrooms.”
Added Fossella: “Staten Island residents deserve the best, and we are trying to give them what they deserve.”
© 2025 Staten Island Advance, N.Y. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
