In most US federal court cases, the public observes what is happening through pastels on a canvas rather than through a camera lens.
Since the vast majority of US federal courtrooms have banned cameras and other recording equipment for decades, sketch artists have been left with the task of keeping a record of events.
They work under a great deal of pressure. The photos are typically submitted at the hearing's next adjournment, so they can be seen on front pages and cable news channels in a matter of minutes.
This is what happened in Miami when Donald Trump heard the 37 felony counts that accuse him of handling secret government documents read aloud.
Despite having front-row seats, three seasoned illustrators' interpretations of one of the most photographed men on the planet were very dissimilar.
They each detail their methods for completing this particular task to the BBC. .
William J. Hennessy Jr. has depicted President Trump in a variety of contexts over the course of a career that is now in its fifth decade, including at a Supreme Court judge's inauguration, following his second impeachment, and even from video of the riot in the US Capitol.
However, this week, detractors claimed that Mr. Hennessy had made the 77-year-old in the Miami courtroom appear much younger and trimmer than he actually is.
The 65-year-old native of Virginia replies, "I don't add any editorializing to it. "I depict it as I see it because I'm there and the camera can't be there," the artist said. ".
Feedback is to be expected in such a high-profile case, he claims, adding that pleased members of the public have also sent him emails.
Mr. Hennessy claims that Mr. Trump, who has experience with courtroom settings, was "fairly stoic," not grimacing or scowling but rather simply appearing as though he wanted the situation to be over.
Since reporting on the 1980 assassination of an Iranian dissident in Washington, DC, he has drawn for a variety of cases, focusing primarily on criminal ones.
Since the infamous 1935 trial of the century, which involved the kidnapping and murder of aviator Charles Lindbergh's infant, a media circus has severely restricted the use of cameras in courtrooms.
Electronic devices are now permitted in almost all state courts in the US, as well as in some federal district and circuit courts. Mr. Hennessy is worried about this trend.
"Court is oftentimes used as entertainment. I find it news," he declares. "Usually, the topics I cover are extremely serious and not meant to be humorous. " .
If Mr. Hennessy is choosing to disregard criticism of his work, Jane Rosenberg has had similar success with her approach.
Her court sketch from the "Deflate-gate" trial was mocked and abused online in 2015 by trolls who claimed it made NFL star quarterback Tom Brady resemble Lurch from the Addams Family.
Mea culpa, she confessed to the New York Times, "for not making him as good-looking as he is.".
This week, she told the BBC that critics need to understand how challenging their jobs are.
The artists all try their best, she claims, despite having to work under extremely strict deadlines, difficult courtroom constraints, and a lack of respect for creative freedom. I'm working myself to the bone in court. ".
Ms. Rosenberg, a fine artist by training, enjoys sketching people. She paints "en plein air" (outdoors) and exhibits her work at a Massachusetts gallery in addition to thousands of court scenes.
In what she has called the "most stressful assignment" of her 43-year career, Ms. Rosenberg was featured on the cover of the New Yorker magazine for a sketch in which she depicted Mr. Trump turning to glare at the prosecutor during his hush money arraignment in Manhattan in April.
The security in the Miami courthouse was so intense, she claims, that she worried she wouldn't be able to get a good seat inside on Tuesday's assignment, which was equally stressful. Although she considered the jury box to be the best seat in the house, she was fortunate to end up there.
It is almost impossible to plan ahead, according to Ms. Rosenberg, who notes that the more time she has, the more likely she is to be accurate. "In a trial, I could have a witness remain motionless for the entire day. An arraignment usually takes place quickly. ".
Both of Mr. Trump's arraignments this year were covered by Ms. Williams, like Ms. Rosenberg.
He appeared irked, irritated, and somewhat contemptuous of the process during the first hearing in Manhattan, she claims. Her artwork encapsulated a raging contempt.
She claims that Mr. Trump appeared differently in court in Miami, acting more defiantly and remaining silent the entire time.
When he filed a lawsuit to force a merger between the NFL and the US Football League (USFL), Donald Trump first came into contact with her in 1987.
She observes that despite being 36 years older, he does not appear his age. "He's a lot older than me, but I think I have worse bags on my face than he does. ".
Ms. Williams, a former fashion illustrator, has seen all kinds of characters in court, including rapper Tekashi69 ("he had such charisma!") and the wife of drug lord El Chapo ("it was like drawing a Barbie doll").
She describes herself as a "visual reporter," faithfully informing the public about what occurred and enhancing the words written by news media.
Authenticity is crucial, according to Ms. Williams. "I draw what a photographer would photograph; I'm like a substitute camera. There is no faking anything. ".
But she thinks that her line of work is a lost art.
"I have zero confidence that we will still be doing this in ten years.
. "
