Question 1

What is FrameCounsel?

Accepted Answer

FrameCounsel is a forensic video analysis application built exclusively for criminal defense attorneys. It uses on-device AI to analyze body camera footage, dashcam video, surveillance recordings, and other video evidence to help defense teams identify exculpatory evidence, contradictions in official reports, and critical details that might otherwise be missed.

Question 2

Who uses FrameCounsel?

Accepted Answer

FrameCounsel is designed for criminal defense attorneys, public defenders, private investigators, legal aid organizations, law school clinics, and expert witnesses. Anyone involved in reviewing video evidence for the defense benefits from FrameCounsel's AI-powered analysis tools.

Question 3

What types of footage does FrameCounsel support?

Accepted Answer

FrameCounsel supports body-worn camera (BWC) footage, dashcam recordings, CCTV and surveillance video, cellphone recordings, drone footage, and virtually any standard video format including MP4, MOV, AVI, MKV, and HEVC/H.265. The application handles multiple simultaneous video streams from different sources.

Question 4

How accurate is the AI analysis?

Accepted Answer

FrameCounsel uses state-of-the-art models including MLX Whisper for transcription (achieving near-human accuracy), YOLOv8 for object detection (97%+ accuracy on common objects), ArcFace for face recognition (99.4% accuracy on standard benchmarks), and DeepSORT for person tracking. All AI results are presented as analytical aids for human review, never as standalone conclusions.

Question 5

Is FrameCounsel a cloud-based application?

Accepted Answer

No. FrameCounsel runs entirely on your Mac using Apple Silicon's Neural Engine. There are no cloud uploads, no remote servers processing your data, and no internet connection required for any analysis feature. This is essential for maintaining attorney-client privilege and ensuring evidence security.

Question 6

How does FrameCounsel differ from prosecution tools?

Accepted Answer

Unlike prosecution-oriented tools that focus on identification and matching, FrameCounsel is built specifically for the defense perspective. It surfaces contradictions between official reports and video evidence, identifies exculpatory details, tracks Brady/Giglio compliance, and generates court-ready reports designed for defense motions and presentations.

Question 7

Can FrameCounsel replace an expert witness?

Accepted Answer

FrameCounsel is designed to complement expert witnesses, not replace them. The application helps attorneys identify which cases warrant expert analysis, provides detailed evidence for expert review, and generates reports that can support expert testimony. Many forensic video experts use FrameCounsel themselves as an analysis tool.

Question 8

Is training available?

Accepted Answer

Yes. All plans include access to documentation, video tutorials, and the FrameCounsel Academy. Firm and Public Defender plans include priority onboarding support. We also offer customized training sessions for large offices and organizations.

Question 9

What are the system requirements?

Accepted Answer

FrameCounsel requires macOS 14.0 (Sonoma) or later running on Apple Silicon (M1, M2, M3, or M4). Minimum 16GB RAM, with 32GB recommended for large video files and concurrent analyses. At least 50GB of free storage is recommended for the application, models, and working files.

Question 10

Why is FrameCounsel Apple Silicon only?

Accepted Answer

Apple Silicon's Neural Engine provides dedicated hardware for AI inference, allowing FrameCounsel to run sophisticated models (Whisper, YOLO, ArcFace, SAM) entirely on-device without a GPU server. This architecture is essential for our air-gapped, privacy-first design. Intel Macs lack the Neural Engine performance required for real-time video analysis.

Question 11

How much storage does FrameCounsel require?

Accepted Answer

The application itself requires approximately 5GB. AI models add another 10-15GB depending on which models are installed. Case data storage depends on your footage volume; body camera footage typically runs 1-3GB per hour. We recommend at least 500GB free for active casework, though external storage can be used.

Question 12

Does FrameCounsel work offline?

Accepted Answer

Yes, completely. FrameCounsel's air-gapped mode disables all network connectivity, ensuring zero data transmission. All AI models run locally on your Mac's Neural Engine. This is critical for sensitive cases and environments with strict data security requirements like courthouses and secure facilities.

Question 13

What video formats are supported?

Accepted Answer

FrameCounsel supports all major video formats: MP4, MOV, AVI, MKV, WMV, FLV, WebM, and HEVC (H.265). It handles common body camera formats from Axon, WatchGuard, and Motorola devices. Frame rates from 15fps to 120fps are supported, and the application can process 4K resolution footage.

Question 14

Can I use external storage for case files?

Accepted Answer

Yes. FrameCounsel supports external drives, network-attached storage (NAS), and encrypted volumes. You can configure the default storage location in preferences. For air-gapped mode, we recommend using encrypted external SSDs to keep sensitive case data physically separate from your primary drive.

Question 15

Is FrameCounsel analysis admissible in court?

Accepted Answer

FrameCounsel generates court-ready reports with complete chain of custody documentation, SHA-256 hash verification, and detailed methodology descriptions. The admissibility of AI-assisted analysis varies by jurisdiction. FrameCounsel's reports are designed to meet Daubert standard requirements by documenting the scientific methodology, error rates, and peer review status of each AI model used.

Question 16

How does FrameCounsel handle chain of custody?

Accepted Answer

FrameCounsel maintains an immutable audit log from the moment evidence is imported. Every action, including file hashing (SHA-256), analysis runs, exports, and user access, is timestamped and logged. The application generates chain of custody certificates that document the complete handling history of each evidence file.

Question 17

Does FrameCounsel help with Brady compliance?

Accepted Answer

Yes. FrameCounsel's Brady/Giglio compliance module flags potentially exculpatory evidence, tracks disclosure obligations, and generates compliance reports. It can identify contradictions between officer reports and video footage, track impeachment material related to witness credibility, and produce disclosure checklists for the defense team.

Question 18

Can FrameCounsel analysis be used for expert witness testimony?

Accepted Answer

FrameCounsel reports are designed to support expert witness testimony. The application documents the scientific methodology, model versions, confidence scores, and analysis parameters used in every analysis. Expert witnesses can use FrameCounsel's outputs as the foundation for their independent analysis and testimony.

Question 19

How does FrameCounsel handle attorney-client privilege?

Accepted Answer

FrameCounsel's on-device architecture is specifically designed to protect attorney-client privilege. Because no data ever leaves your Mac, there is no third-party access to your work product. Air-gapped mode provides additional protection by eliminating all network connectivity during analysis.

Question 20

Is FrameCounsel compliant with evidence handling standards?

Accepted Answer

FrameCounsel follows best practices established by the Scientific Working Group on Digital Evidence (SWGDE) and the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). The application uses cryptographic hashing, maintains complete audit trails, and supports write-once evidence storage to preserve evidence integrity.

Question 21

Is there a free trial?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Every plan includes a 30-day free trial with full access to all features. No credit card required to start. You can explore every analysis tool, generate reports, and evaluate FrameCounsel on your own cases before committing.

Question 22

How does the Public Defender discount work?

Accepted Answer

We believe every defendant deserves access to forensic video analysis, regardless of ability to pay. Public defender offices can apply for our subsidized plan at $49/month (67% off Firm pricing) by verifying their status. The plan includes unlimited users and all features. We cover the cost difference because justice shouldn't depend on budget.

Question 23

What are the system requirements for each plan?

Accepted Answer

All plans have the same system requirements: macOS 14.0+ on Apple Silicon with 16GB+ RAM. The Solo plan supports one user with 5 active cases. The Firm plan supports up to 10 users with unlimited cases. The Public Defender plan supports unlimited users with unlimited cases.

Question 24

Can I switch plans?

Accepted Answer

Yes, you can upgrade or downgrade at any time. When upgrading, you'll be prorated for the remainder of your billing period. When downgrading, the new rate takes effect at your next billing date. Contact support for assistance with plan changes.

Question 25

Do you offer volume licensing?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Organizations with more than 10 users can contact us for custom enterprise pricing. We offer additional discounts for legal aid organizations, innocence projects, and law school clinics. Volume licenses include dedicated account management and custom onboarding.

Question 26

What payment methods do you accept?

Accepted Answer

We accept all major credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, American Express), ACH bank transfers, and purchase orders for government and institutional buyers. Annual plans can be paid by check. Contact our sales team for invoicing options.

Question 27

Does FrameCounsel collect any data or telemetry?

Accepted Answer

No. FrameCounsel collects zero telemetry, zero analytics, and zero usage data. There are no tracking pixels, no crash reporters, and no analytics frameworks in the application. We have no idea how you use the software, and that is by design. Your work product remains entirely yours.

Question 28

Is any data sent to the cloud?

Accepted Answer

No. All processing happens locally on your Mac. FrameCounsel never uploads video, transcripts, analysis results, or any other data to any server. The only network request the application makes is an optional check for software updates, which can be disabled. Air-gapped mode eliminates even this.

Question 29

How does FrameCounsel protect attorney-client privilege?

Accepted Answer

FrameCounsel's entire architecture is designed around attorney-client privilege protection. On-device processing means no third party ever accesses your data. Air-gapped mode eliminates network connectivity. Encrypted local storage protects data at rest. Role-based access control limits who can view case files within your organization.

Question 30

Can FrameCounsel be used in secure facilities?

Accepted Answer

Yes. FrameCounsel's air-gapped mode is specifically designed for use in secure environments such as courthouses, detention facilities, and classified settings. The application requires no internet connection for any feature. Evidence can be loaded from encrypted external drives, and all processing occurs on the local device.

Question 31

Why shouldn't I use ChatGPT or Claude for case analysis?

Accepted Answer

When you paste case text, police reports, witness statements, or any privileged material into ChatGPT, Claude, Google Gemini, or any cloud AI service, that data is transmitted to and processed on third-party servers. These providers may log your inputs, use them for model training, or store them in ways accessible to their employees. Under attorney-client privilege rules, voluntarily disclosing privileged information to a third party can waive the privilege entirely. There is no "undo" for this. A single paste into a cloud AI tool can open the door to discovery of that communication and potentially broader case materials. FrameCounsel runs all AI models locally on your Mac's Neural Engine, so your data never leaves your physical possession.

Question 32

What's wrong with cloud-based forensic tools?

Accepted Answer

Most "AI-powered" legal and forensic tools are thin wrappers around cloud AI services like OpenAI or Google. When you use these tools, your evidence files and case data are uploaded to remote servers for processing. This creates multiple problems: chain of custody is broken because you cannot testify to what happened on someone else's server; copies of your evidence may persist in caches, backups, and logs you do not control; the data is subject to the provider's jurisdiction, their subpoena obligations, and their security practices; and privilege may be waived by the voluntary disclosure to a third party. If a forensic tool requires an internet connection for its AI features, your data is going to the cloud. FrameCounsel is fundamentally different: every AI model is bundled with the application and runs on your local hardware.

Question 33

What external drive do you recommend for case files?

Accepted Answer

We recommend the SanDisk Professional Pro-G40 Thunderbolt SSD as your dedicated evidence vault. It offers Thunderbolt 3 speeds up to 3,000 MB/s for instant 4K video scrubbing, built-in 256-bit AES hardware encryption, IP68 dust and water resistance, 3-meter drop protection, and 4,000 lb crush resistance. Available in 1TB, 2TB, and 4TB capacities. When your FrameCounsel workspace lives on a Pro-G40, you can unplug the drive at the end of the day, lock it in a fireproof safe, and have physical proof that no one accessed your evidence overnight. This level of physical chain-of-custody control is impossible with any cloud service. Format the drive as APFS (Encrypted) for a hardware encryption layer, then enable FrameCounsel's workspace encryption for a second independent layer.

Question 34

How does chain of custody work with FrameCounsel?

Accepted Answer

FrameCounsel maintains an unbroken, cryptographically verifiable chain of custody from evidence import to courtroom presentation. At import, every file is hashed with SHA-256, creating a unique digital fingerprint. This hash is stored in an immutable, append-only audit trail where each entry is itself hashed and chained to the previous entry, similar to a blockchain. Every action taken on the evidence (viewing, analysis, enhancement, export) is logged with timestamps, user identity, and before/after hashes. Before any report is generated, all evidence hashes are re-verified. Because everything happens locally on your machine (or your evidence drive), you can testify with certainty that no third party accessed or modified the evidence at any point. The entire audit trail can be exported as a court-ready Certificate of Authenticity.

Question 35

Can my data be subpoenaed from FrameCounsel?

Accepted Answer

No. FrameCounsel has no servers, no cloud storage, no user accounts, and no databases containing your data. We literally do not have your data, so there is nothing to subpoena from us. Your case files exist only on your Mac and/or your external evidence drive, both of which are under your physical control and protected by attorney-client privilege and work-product doctrine. This is a fundamental architectural advantage over cloud-based tools, where the provider holds your data on their servers and can be compelled to produce it in response to a subpoena, warrant, or national security letter.

Question 36

What happens if I lose my evidence drive?

Accepted Answer

If your Pro-G40 evidence drive is lost or stolen, your data remains protected by multiple layers of encryption. The drive's built-in 256-bit AES hardware encryption prevents access without the drive password. FrameCounsel's workspace encryption adds a second independent barrier. An attacker would need to defeat both encryption layers to access any case data, which is computationally infeasible with current technology. To protect against data loss, we recommend maintaining an encrypted backup on a second Pro-G40 stored in a separate physical location (such as a bank safe deposit box or a second office). FrameCounsel's workspace can be restored from this backup onto a new drive. Never back up to cloud storage services, as this would undermine the entire purpose of local-only data control.

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions